Definition

1. Noun:
   • A place of worship that has its own altar: A building or room, often smaller than a church, used for Christian worship, prayer, and religious services. It may be part of a larger institution like a school, hospital, prison, or palace.
   • A service conducted in such a place: A religious meeting or ceremony held in a chapel.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Place):
  • The university has a beautiful chapel where students can pray.
  • The wedding ceremony was held in the small chapel on the estate.
• Noun (Service):
  • All students are required to attend chapel on Sunday mornings.
  • He was late for chapel and missed the opening hymn.

Advanced Usage

• "To keep chapel": (British, historical/university usage) To attend the required chapel service.
  • In the past, Oxford students were expected to keep chapel.
• "Chapel of ease": A place of worship built for the convenience of parishioners who live far from the main parish church.

Variants and Related Words

• Chapelry (n): The district or area served by a chapel.
• Chapelful (n): As many people as a chapel can hold.

Synonyms

• Oratory: A small private chapel for prayer.
• Shrine: A place regarded as holy because of its associations with a sacred person or object.
• Sanctuary: A sacred or holy place.

Related Phrases

• Lady chapel: A chapel within a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• Side chapel: A small chapel opening off the aisle or transept of a larger church.

Idioms

• "To go to chapel": To attend a nonconformist church service (common in British English, referring to Protestant denominations outside the Church of England).
  • My grandparents used to go to chapel every Sunday.

Noun

1. a service conducted in a place of worship that has its own altar
   • he was late for chapel
2. a place of worship that has its own altar