chief of staff

noun phrase

1

: the ranking officer of a staff in the armed forces serving as principal adviser to a commander

2

: the ranking officer of the army or air force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Examples of chief of staff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carone, a lawyer, served as Adams' chief of staff during his first year as mayor. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 24 June 2026

The chief of staff to Haiti’s defense minister remains in captivity. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

Two issues rooted in his previous employment as DeSantis’ chief of staff could be major factors. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Lee was chief of staff to then-Councilmember Mitchell Englander when the two were plied with meals and alcohol, as well as hotel stays and gambling chips, by people seeking business with the city. — Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chief of staff

• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph
• hydrograph
• lithograph
• micrograph
• monograph

Kids Definition

chief of staff

1

: the ranking officer of a staff in the armed forces who advises a commander

2

: the ranking officer of the army or air force