chapter

noun

chap·​ter ˈchap-tər How to pronounce chapter (audio)
1
a
: a main division of a book
b
: something resembling a chapter in being a significant specified unit
a new chapter in my life
2
a
: a regular meeting of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of the members of a religious house
b
: the body of canons of a cathedral or collegiate church
3
: a local branch of an organization

Examples of chapter in a Sentence

Chapter three deals with the country's economy. Please read the first two chapters of your textbook for our next class. Becoming a parent opened up a whole new chapter in my life. a difficult chapter in European history
Recent Examples on the Web While most of us learn the broad strokes of this history in elementary school, few of us have the kind of the personal connection to this dark chapter that historian James L. Swanson felt from an early age. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 The settlement — approved Tuesday by the L.A. City Council — marks the final chapter in a shooting that the county district attorney’s office decided in 2020 was legal. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Aries season pushes that storyline to the next chapter. USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 Technocratic arrangements for good governance of the West Bank and Gaza can succeed only if a national political dialogue closes the chapter of division and opens a new one focused on state building. Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 And speaking of which, the reopening of the property also marks a new chapter in one of Sedona's most popular dining spots. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 As Serena approaches a new chapter in her life — college — her artistic journey extends beyond personal growth. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 Campillo sensitively captures the ensuing transition between childish fancy and disillusionment, which dovetails neatly with the Frenchmen’s apathetic shedding of colonial ideals — their days there are numbered, and everyone is waiting for the next chapter of their lives to begin. Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 The latest chapter of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story takes place in Singapore. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chapter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chapitre, from Anglo-French chapitre, chapitle, from Late Latin capitulum division of a book & Medieval Latin, meeting place of canons, from Latin, diminutive of capit-, caput head — more at head

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chapter was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near chapter

Cite this Entry

“Chapter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapter. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chapter

noun
chap·​ter ˈchap-tər How to pronounce chapter (audio)
1
a
: a main division of a book or of a law code
b
: something like a chapter in being a significant unit
a chapter in my life
2
: a local branch of an organization

More from Merriam-Webster on chapter

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