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

In a letter accompanying McKnight’s, the Rev. John Riley, the archdiocese’s vicar general and chancellor, asked those with information or concerns regarding the matter to contact the Miami County Sheriff’s Department at [phone]. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2025

The chancellor’s jabs towards the EU reflect this political tension, as well as the domestic political issues Merz is battling with, Fleck said. —Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

The chancellor or president of institutions will pick some members of the faculty board. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

An email to staff sent by Jill Long, the special assistant to Sullivan University System’s chancellor and CEO Glenn Sullivan and sent on behalf of Jeff Biggs, who serves as chairman of Sullivan’s board of directors, did not give a reason for Swenson stepping down. —Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

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