chaplain

American  

[chap-lin] / ˈtʃæp lɪn /

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.

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chaplain British  

/ 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 military chaplain

   a prison chaplain

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Other Word Forms

• chaplaincy noun
• chaplainry noun
• chaplainship noun

Etymology

Origin of chaplain

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

Explanation

A chaplain is usually a religious leader — a minister, rabbi, or other clergy member — who works outside of a church or temple. You can use the word chaplain to describe the minister who counsels patients at your local hospital. Or, a chaplain could also be a priest who lives and works with soldiers on a battlefield (a military chaplain). These days, many chaplains are non-denominational, not associated with any particular religion. The Latin root word, cappellanus, means "clergyman."

Example Sentences

He had samples of the vaccine sent to the chaplain of Congress, who helped circulate it in the military.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The ruling outlined how Z had attended St Bede's school in Redhill in the 1980s where Tudor was chaplain and an RE teacher.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Schlanger served as a chaplain for the New South Wales correctional service and a major hospital, Chabad said.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Trafficante said that she now works as a chaplain who ministers to people in shelters and on the streets.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 2025

“Oh, no, sir,” the chaplain assured him with embarrassment.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• cleric
• pastor
• preacher
• priest
• rabbi