chaplain

[ chap-lin ]

noun

1. an ecclesiastic attached to the chapel of a royal court, college, etc., or to a military unit.
2. a person who says the prayer, invocation, etc., for an organization or at an assembly.

chaplain

/ ˈtʃæplɪn /

noun

1. a Christian clergyman attached to a private chapel of a prominent person or institution or ministering to a military body, professional group, etc

   a prison chaplain

   a military chaplain

Derived Forms

• ˈchaplaincy, noun

Other Words From

• chaplain·cy chaplain·ship chaplain·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaplain¹

before 1100; Middle English chapelain < Middle French < Late Latin cappellānus custodian of St. Martin's cloak ( chapel, -an ); replacing Old English capellan < Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaplain¹

C12: from Old French chapelain, from Late Latin cappellānus, from cappella chapel

Example Sentences

An increasing number of non-faith schools are hiring chaplains to offer emotional support to students.

From BBC

My recent employment has been as a hospice chaplain, ministering to dying people and their families.

From Salon

Incarcerated ‘Chrisley Knows Best’ patriarch Todd Chrisley has been fired from his chaplain’s assistant job for ‘getting too chatty with certain inmates.’

From Los Angeles Times

Todd Chrisley has reportedly been removed from his position as a chaplain’s assistant at the Florida prison where he is currently serving 10 years for tax evasion, fraud and conspiracy.

From Los Angeles Times

He remained a chaplain until 2002, when he was charged with 29 counts of molesting girls; fearing he would try to flee prosecution, authorities plucked him off a cruise ship bound for Russia.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cleric
• pastor
• preacher
• priest
• rabbi