A chaperone is an adult who supervises children or teenagers during activities, trips, or events. When your class goes on a field trip to a museum, parent volunteers come along as chaperones to help keep everyone safe and on task. At a middle school dance, teachers serve as chaperones to make sure students behave appropriately and that everything runs smoothly.

The job of a chaperone is partly about safety, making sure no one gets lost or hurt, but it's also about guidance. Chaperones help groups stay organized, settle minor disputes, and gently redirect behavior when needed. On a camping trip, chaperones might supervise activities, check that tents are set up correctly, and make sure everyone follows the rules.

As a verb, to chaperone means to supervise in this way. Today, chaperoning is simply about responsible adults looking after young people during special events. Your parents might chaperone your school's science fair or theater field trip, giving up their own time to help create a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.