Definition

1. Noun:
   • A main division of a book, typically with a number or title: A chapter is one of the main sections into which a book is divided.
   • A period or phase in history or a person's life: A chapter can represent a distinct stage or episode in a sequence of events.
   • A local branch of a society, club, or fraternity: A chapter is a local division or branch of a larger organization.
   • An assembly of the clergy of a cathedral or other religious community: In religious contexts, a chapter is a formal meeting of canons or members of a religious order.

Usage and Examples

• As a division of a book:
  • Please read Chapter 5 for tomorrow's class.
  • The final chapter of the novel revealed the mystery.
• As a distinct period:
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a new chapter in European history.
  • Starting university was an exciting chapter in her life.
• As a local branch:
  • She is the president of the local chapter of the Red Cross.
  • He joined the alumni chapter in his city.
• As a religious assembly:
  • The dean presided over the cathedral chapter.

Advanced Usage

• A chapter of accidents: A series of unfortunate events.
  • The project's failure was due to a whole chapter of accidents.
• To the end of the chapter: Until the very end; forever.
  • He vowed to love her to the end of the chapter.

Variants and Related Words

• Chapter house (n): A building used for meetings by a chapter, especially of a religious order or fraternity.
  • The monks gathered in the chapter house.

Synonyms

• Section: A distinct part of a book or document.
• Phase: A distinct period or stage in a process.
• Episode: An event or a group of events occurring as part of a sequence.
• Branch: A local division of a large organization.

Idioms and Phrases

• To cite/give chapter and verse: To provide precise evidence or details to support a statement.
  • He can cite chapter and verse from the company's policy to prove his point.
• A closed chapter: Something that is finished and no longer relevant.
  • As far as I'm concerned, that argument is a closed chapter.

Noun

1. a series of related events forming an episode
   • a chapter of disasters
2. an ecclesiastical assembly of the monks in a monastery or even of the canons of a church
3. a local branch of some fraternity or association
   • he joined the Atlanta chapter
4. any distinct period in history or in a person's life
   • the industrial revolution opened a new chapter in British history
   • the divorce was an ugly chapter in their relationship
5. a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
   • he read a chapter every night before falling asleep