chamberlain

noun

cham·​ber·​lain ˈchām-bər-lən 

1

: an attendant on a sovereign or lord in his bedchamber

2

a

: a chief officer in the household of a king or nobleman

b

: treasurer

3

: an often honorary papal attendant

specifically : a priest having a rank of honor below domestic prelate

Examples of chamberlain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the Church runs things during the conclave, including overseeing the conclave itself. —Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025

For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin. —George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

The camerlengo, or chamberlain of the Vatican, assumes temporary authority until a new pope is elected. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

In the event of a pope’s death, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Farrell. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025

If a pope dies, the person who certifies his death is the camerlengo, or chamberlain, who currently is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025

This symbiotic relationship between the military and the monarch was underscored in September when Apirat Kongsompong, the commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army, retired from the military only to be immediately appointed vice chamberlain of the palace’s Royal Household Bureau. —Hannah Beech, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2020

And also Denzel Washington as the female pope’s chamberlain, and Madonna as her mother. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023

In late 1318, a man named Hugh Despenser became Edward’s new chamberlain and, shortly thereafter, became Edward’s new favorite. —Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French chamberlein, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German chamarling chamberlain, from chamara chamber, from Late Latin camera

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

chamberlain

noun

cham·​ber·​lain ˈchām-bər-lən 

1

: a chief officer in the household of a ruler or noble

2

: treasurer

Biographical Definition

Chamberlain 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Cham·​ber·​lain ˈchām-bər-lən 

Joseph 1836–1914 and his sons Sir (Joseph) Austen 1863–1937 and (Arthur) Neville 1869–1940 British statesmen

Chamberlain

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Wilton Norman 1936–1999 American basketball player