chapel

chap-el · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small church or a room or building used for Christian worship in a school, hospital, or other institution.

  2. 2.

    A part of a large church or cathedral with its own altar.

  3. 3.

    (British) A nonconformist (non-Anglican) church or its congregation.

  4. 4.

    A room used for funeral services.

Forms

plural: chapels

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    wedding chapel — a small venue for marriage ceremonies
  • •
    Sistine Chapel — the famous chapel in Vatican City

Related words

See also: cathedral, church, sanctuary, worship
Synonyms: church, oratory, sanctuary, shrine

Etymology

From Old French chapele, from Medieval Latin cappella, diminutive of cappa ("cloak"), originally referring to the sanctuary where the cloak of St. Martin of Tours was preserved as a relic.