chancellor

noun

chan·​cel·​lor ˈchan(t)-s(ə-)lər 

1

a

: the secretary of a nobleman, prince, or king

b

: the lord chancellor of Great Britain

c

British : the chief secretary of an embassy

d

: a Roman Catholic priest heading the office in which diocesan business is transacted and recorded

2

a

: the titular head of a British university

b(1)

: a university president

(2)

: the chief executive officer in some state systems of higher education

3

a

: a lay legal officer or adviser of an Anglican diocese

b

: a judge in a court of chancery or equity in various states of the U.S.

4

: the chief minister of state in some European countries

chancellorship

ˈchan(t)-s(ə-)lər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of chancellor in a Sentence

the new chancellor of the university

Recent Examples on the Web

Betting markets — and political betting markets may be more vulnerable to insider trading than many others — now have Cooper as favorite to become chancellor. — Ian King, CNBC, 15 July 2026

More than 60% of the student body across the California Community College system are economically disadvantaged, per data from the chancellor’s office. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz holds the unambiguous record for the most unpopular chancellor in Germany’s history, with his approval rating hitting 16% in May, according to a Deutschlandtrend/ARD poll. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026

The chancellor first released a draft AI policy in March, which approved its use by teachers in lesson plans but not for grades or discipline. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chanceler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin cancellarius doorkeeper, secretary, from cancellus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing chancellor

• chancellor of the exchequer
• lord chancellor
• vice-chancellor

Kids Definition

chancellor

noun

chan·​cel·​lor ˈchan(t)-s(ə-)lər 

1

: the chief minister of state in some European countries

2

: the head of a university

Legal Definition

chancellor

noun

chan·​cel·​lor ˈchan-sə-lər 

1

: the head of a chancery: as

a

: the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain

b

: a judge in a court of equity in various states

2

a

: a university president

b

: the chief executive officer in some state systems of higher education

3

: the chief minister of state in some European countries (as Germany)

Etymology

Old French chancelier royal secretary, from Late Latin cancellarius doorkeeper, clerk, from Latin cancellus latticework barrier