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 of chapter

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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.
The partnership marks a new chapter in Lucky Brand’s relationship with music, moving beyond its legacy of band tees and concert merchandise. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026 The highly anticipated latest chapter in the Monster anthology will premiere September 17 on Netflix. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 The drawing also marks a new chapter for the game, as Powerball's expansion into the United Kingdom could bring millions of additional players into future drawings. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Unless voters elect federal lawmakers who center that issue and fight for meaningful legislation, the next chapter of American public education will not be written in Washington. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chapter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapter. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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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Nglish: Translation of chapter for Spanish Speakers

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