chapter

noun

chap·​ter ˈchap-tər How to pronounce chapter (audio)
Synonyms of chapternext
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

Synonyms

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As for what’s next for Salke, sources around town noted that her new first-look production deal at Amazon actually sets her up for a new chapter that will somewhat free her from the creative constraints that come with answering to tech bosses. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025 Bafana Bafana are writing a new chapter in South African football. — Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 If Villanova announces Willard as its coach in the next few days — that’s the consensus expectation among those who cover the sport, though the man himself was noncommittal in his postgame remarks Thursday — the last two weeks will go down as a bittersweet chapter in the program’s history, at best. — Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025 The discovery has opened a dramatic new chapter in the hunt for insights into af Klint and her universe. — Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chapter

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

Phrases Containing chapter

Rhymes for chapter

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Browse Nearby Words

chaptalize
chapter
Chapter 11
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Cite this Entry

“Chapter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapter. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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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

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