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)
Examples of chaplain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So, obviously, someone in the service who grapples with this will seek guidance from you and your brother chaplains.
—
CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Bundy and Boone attempted to get married through the prison chaplain, who denied their request, as well as through the mail and Bundy's attorneys, who also didn't want to get involved.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Last week, the Defense secretary ordered that chaplains will no longer wear their rank insignia, but rather show insignia that reflects their religious affiliation.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2026
People still talked about the time three years earlier when Darlene was shipped to a different facility after reporting the chaplain.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaplain
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CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Bundy and Boone attempted to get married through the prison chaplain, who denied their request, as well as through the mail and Bundy's attorneys, who also didn't want to get involved.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Last week, the Defense secretary ordered that chaplains will no longer wear their rank insignia, but rather show insignia that reflects their religious affiliation.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2026
People still talked about the time three years earlier when Darlene was shipped to a different facility after reporting the chaplain.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaplain
Cite this Entry
“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaplain. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chaplain
noun
chap·lain
ˈchap-lən 
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)
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