chapter

noun

chap·​ter ˈchap-tər 

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

• affiliate
• cell

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

Kimberly was the Charlotte chapter president of The Links, Incorporated, an international community service organization for Black women, and volunteered on the State Employees’ Credit Union advisory board in Cornelius. — Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Nova Mohiuddin, 23, and an organizing member of the UIC student chapter of Chicago Socialist Alternative, was the first to take the mic. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026

After more than four decades of supporting Stateside composers and lyricists working across visual media, the Society of Composers & Lyricists has opened its first permanent international chapter in London. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

The 32-year-old actor wrapped up a major chapter in his life late last year with the ending of Stranger Things, the Netflix science fiction series that catapulted him and his co-stars into near overnight fame. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing chapter

• a chapter of accidents
• chapter and verse
• sub-chapter

Rhymes for chapter

• apter
• captor
• raptor
• adapter
• adaptor
• subchapter

Kids Definition

chapter

noun

chap·​ter ˈchap-tər 

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