chaplain

noun

chap·​lain ˈcha-plən How to pronounce chaplain (audio)
1
: a clergyman in charge of a chapel
2
: a clergyman 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 clergyman appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function)
chaplaincy 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.
Collins served as a Navy chaplain for two years in the 1990s and later joined the Air Force Reserve in 2002, being deployed to Iraq in 2008. Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025 Collins, a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and Iraq War veteran, launched an unsuccessful bid to represent Georgia in the Senate in 2020. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 The Advocate reported that a letter to the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge community from head of school Carrie Steakley and head chaplain Patrick Edwards indicated that Kareem Badawi and Parker Vidrine, who were injured in the attack, are alumni. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2025 Robert Sloan, Trident’s associate chaplain, officiated a short, religious ceremony followed by a reception with hors d’oeuvres, punch and wedding cake. Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near chaplain

Cite this Entry

“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

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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