chief justice

chief justice

noun

: the most important and powerful judge of a court of law and especially of the U.S. Supreme Court

Full Definition of CHIEF JUSTICE

:  the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

First Known Use of CHIEF JUSTICE

1534

chief justice

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Presiding judicial officer within any multijudge court. It is the title of the highest judicial officer in any U.S. state, and of the leader of the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. chief justice, like the associate justices, is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate for a lifetime tenure. The chief justices of some state supreme courts are subject to popular election and mandatory retirement ages. Chief justices are normally responsible for the administration of their own court and the preparation of the judiciary's budget.