chaplain
gb/t͡ʃˈæplɪn/ us/t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
B2
English
~ 8500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
religious official for an institution
A religious leader who works for a group or place, like a hospital, school, army, or prison, and helps people with worship and spiritual support there.
Usage pattern:
serve as [a chaplain] at [an institution]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use “chaplain” to mean any religious leader in a church. A chaplain is usually connected to a special place or group (like an army, hospital, school, or prison), not just a regular church. Also, some learners think a chaplain must be Christian, but in many countries there are chaplains from different religions or multi-faith chaplains.
Synonyms
clergy member (General term for an ordained religious worker; does not show the special link to an institution like “chaplain” does.)
|
spiritual advisor (Emphasizes giving personal spiritual guidance; may or may not be an official religious role inside an institution.)
Antonyms
secular counselor (Focuses on emotional or psychological help without a religious role, which is the opposite of a chaplain’s religious function.)
Collocations
military chaplain
|hospital chaplain
|prison chaplain
|school chaplain
|army chaplain
|chaplain to the king
Themes
religion
|work
|health
|education
Examples
- The hospital chaplain visited each patient on the ward to offer comfort and prayer.
- After the battle, the military chaplain spent hours listening to soldiers who needed to talk.
- Our university chaplain organizes weekly discussions about faith and mental health.
- The prison chaplain runs a support group for inmates who want to change their lives.
- She was appointed company chaplain to support employees during difficult times.
Learner examples
- The army chaplain spoke with a young soldier who felt afraid.
- A hospital chaplain came to see my grandmother when she was very sick.
- The school chaplain leads a short service every Monday morning.
- He works as a prison chaplain and talks with many inmates every day.
- The chaplain at the college helps students from different religions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
chaplain
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
US/t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
Syllables & stress
chap - lain (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (chap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: chaplain
- Plural: chaplains
Word family
Expressions
hospital chaplain
1/hˈɔspˌɪtəl t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
fixed phrase
chaplain in a hospital
A religious worker in a hospital who visits patients and staff to give spiritual help.
Examples
- The hospital chaplain offered to sit with the family while their father was in surgery.
- She volunteers as a hospital chaplain two days a week, visiting patients who ask for prayer.
military chaplain
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
fixed phrase
chaplain in the armed forces
A religious worker who serves soldiers in the army, navy, air force, or other military group.
Examples
- As a military chaplain, he was sent overseas to support troops on deployment.
- The military chaplain led a memorial service for the soldiers who had died.
prison chaplain
1/pɹˈɪzən t͡ʃˈæplɪn/
fixed phrase
chaplain in a prison
A religious worker in a prison who helps prisoners with worship and spiritual support.
Examples
- The prison chaplain organized a small Christmas service for the inmates.
- Many prisoners talk to the prison chaplain when they feel lonely or guilty.