chaplain

noun

chap·lain ˈcha-plən

Synonyms of chaplain

: a clergyperson in charge of a chapel

: a clergyperson officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court

: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society)

: a clergyperson appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function)

chaplaincy

ˈcha-plən-sē

noun

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Instead, Zientek went to the jail’s chaplain and cooperated with police. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 These include psychologists, rehab therapists, social workers, prison chaplains and others, many of whom are employed by CDCR or the Department of State Hospitals. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Democratic candidate Lindsay James, a chaplain who often speaks of her faith to connect with voters, could see a boost because the district includes Sand's hometown of Decorah. — CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Concerns about voter intimidation motivate chaplains A Pew survey after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025 showed 85% of Americans, across political lines, believe political violence is on the rise. — Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaplain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chapelein, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin cappellanus, from cappella

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of chaplain was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

chapiter

chaplain

chaplaincy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

chaplain

noun

chap·lain ˈchap-lən

: a member of the clergy officially attached to a special group (as the army)

: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as for a club)

chaplain

noun

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on chaplain

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

chaplain

noun

Examples of chaplain in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for chaplain

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on chaplain

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes