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⇱ CHAPTER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


chapter

American  
[chap-ter] / ˈtʃæp tər /

noun

  1. a main division of a book, treatise, or the like, usually bearing a number or title.

  2. a branch, usually restricted to a given locality, of a society, organization, fraternity, etc..

    the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.

  3. an important portion or division of anything.

    The atomic bomb opened a new chapter in history.

    Synonyms:
    phase, period, episode, era
  4. Ecclesiastical.

    1. an assembly of the monks in a monastery, of those in a province, or of the entire order.

    2. a general assembly of the canons of a church.

    3. a meeting of the elected representatives of the provinces or houses of a religious community.

    4. the body of such canons or representatives collectively.

  5. any general assembly.

  6. Liturgy. a short scriptural quotation read at various parts of the office, as after the last psalm in the service of lauds, prime, tierce, etc.

  7. Horology. any of the marks or numerals designating the hours on a dial.


verb (used with object)

  1. to divide into or arrange in chapters.

chapter British  
/ ˈtʃæptə /

noun

  1. a division of a written work, esp a narrative, usually titled or numbered

  2. a sequence of events having a common attribute

    a chapter of disasters

    1. a series of misfortunes

    2. the unforeseeable course of events

  3. an episode or period in a life, history, etc

  4. a numbered reference to that part of a Parliamentary session which relates to a specified Act of Parliament

  5. a branch of some societies, clubs, etc, esp of a secret society

  6. the collective body or a meeting of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of the members of a monastic or knightly order

  7. a general assembly of some organization

  8. exact authority for an action or statement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to divide into chapters

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • chapteral adjective
  • unchapter verb (used with object)
  • unchaptered adjective

Etymology

Origin of chapter

1175–1225; Middle English chapiter, variant of chapitre < Old French < Latin capitulum little head ( capit-, stem of caput head + -ulum -ule ); in Late Latin: section of a book; in Medieval Latin: section read at a meeting, hence, the meeting, especially one of canons, hence, a body of canons

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness,” the statement continued.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Festival organisers say "Ye's UK comeback will be an extraordinary chapter in Wireless's story".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In an interview with AFP, Kutryk discusses the significance of this new chapter of American space exploration:

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Raman is a dues-paying member of the Los Angeles chapter of DSA, which endorsed her in her two successful City Council campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

“Recite chapter three, verse thirteen, from the Book of the Six.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.