chamberlain
noun
cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən 
1
: an attendant on a sovereign or lord in his bedchamber
2
a
: a chief officer in the household of a king or nobleman
b
3
: an often honorary papal attendant
specifically
: a priest having a rank of honor below domestic prelate
Examples of chamberlain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This symbiotic relationship between the military and the monarch was underscored in September when Apirat Kongsompong, the commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army, retired from the military only to be immediately appointed vice chamberlain of the palace’s Royal Household Bureau.
—
Hannah Beech, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2020
And also Denzel Washington as the female pope’s chamberlain, and Madonna as her mother.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023
In late 1318, a man named Hugh Despenser became Edward’s new chamberlain and, shortly thereafter, became Edward’s new favorite.
—Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022
Naruhito will take his seat on the throne, and chamberlains will place the imperial regalia on a table.
—Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2019
The video link marks an improvement from April, when Emperor Akihito announced his abdication to the sun goddess, from whom he is supposed to be descended, in a ritual observed only by his son, Shinto priests and chamberlains.
—The Economist, 17 Oct. 2019
The chamberlain of Prince Rainier of Monaco recommended her for the job.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Feb. 2019
Forced to reinvent himself, von Steuben spent 11 years as court chamberlain in Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a tiny German principality.
—Erick Trickey, Smithsonian, 26 Apr. 2017
Hannah Beech, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2020
And also Denzel Washington as the female pope’s chamberlain, and Madonna as her mother.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023
In late 1318, a man named Hugh Despenser became Edward’s new chamberlain and, shortly thereafter, became Edward’s new favorite.
—Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022
Naruhito will take his seat on the throne, and chamberlains will place the imperial regalia on a table.
—Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2019
The video link marks an improvement from April, when Emperor Akihito announced his abdication to the sun goddess, from whom he is supposed to be descended, in a ritual observed only by his son, Shinto priests and chamberlains.
—The Economist, 17 Oct. 2019
The chamberlain of Prince Rainier of Monaco recommended her for the job.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Feb. 2019
Forced to reinvent himself, von Steuben spent 11 years as court chamberlain in Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a tiny German principality.
—Erick Trickey, Smithsonian, 26 Apr. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chamberlain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Chamberlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chamberlain. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chamberlain
noun
cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən
1
: a chief officer in the household of a ruler or noble
2
Biographical Definition
Chamberlain 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Cham·ber·lain
ˈchām-bər-lən
Joseph 1836–1914 and his sons Sir (Joseph) Austen 1863–1937 and (Arthur) Neville 1869–1940 British statesmen
Chamberlain
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Wilton Norman 1936–1999 American basketball player
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