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

Even under mayoral control in New York City, the city is largely responsible for the public schools’ budget and the mayor appoints not only the chancellor and a majority of school board members but also subordinate superintendents and staff. — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

The resignation of chancellor Daniel Pullin just over a week ago has put this issue back on the desk of his successor, Victor Boschini. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026

Your First Home The chancellor confirmed that a new housing support scheme called Your First Home will launch next spring. — Marc Shoffman, TheWeek, 30 Oct. 2026

For Rick Tankersley, the former vice chancellor for research who chaired the commission, that history complicates treating R1 as a signature accomplishment of Gaber’s tenure. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 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