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

Example Sentences

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

From Barron's

Rabbi Schlanger, 41, was a community chaplain in hospitals and prisons, and is survived by his wife and five young children, including a two-month-old baby.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Brown, Cook was involved with the university’s Catholic community, said associate chaplain Justin Bolger, who described her as “sweet and strong.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Salon

Canon David Nason was a close friend of Dame Patricia for more than 30 years and the pair met through his role as a theatre chaplain.

From BBC

Related Words

• cleric
• pastor
• preacher
• priest
• rabbi