chaplain

1 of 2

noun (1)

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
Synonyms of chaplainnext
1
: a clergyperson in charge of a chapel
2
: a clergyperson officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court
3
: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society)
4
: a clergyperson appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function)
chaplaincy
ˈcha-plən-sē How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
noun

chaplaincy

2 of 2

noun (2)

chap·​lain·​cy ˈcha-plən-sē How to pronounce chaplaincy (audio)
plural -es
: the office, position, or station of a chaplain

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.
Noun
Army chaplains, along with some Navy chaplains, place flags at the gravesites of those buried on Chaplains Hill in Section 2 of the cemetery. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 23 May 2026 In 2023, for example, Texas voted to allow public schools to hire religious chaplains to counsel students. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 After his escape from slavery in Kentucky, Allensworth joined the Civil War on the Union side, becoming a chaplain and rising to the rank of Colonel. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026 Watching from the crowd was Father Taras Naumenko, a Ukrainian Orthodox priest, one of Tryzub's team chaplains and a passionate soccer goalie. — Brian Mann, NPR, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaplain

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Rhymes for chaplain

See All Rhymes for chaplain

Browse Nearby Words

chapiter
chaplain
chaplaincy
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Cite this Entry

“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chaplain

noun
chap·​lain ˈchap-lən How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
1
: a member of the clergy officially attached to a special group (as the army)
2
: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as for a club)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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