chancellor

noun

chan·​cel·​lor ˈchan(t)-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce chancellor (audio)
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 noun

Examples of chancellor in a Sentence

the new chancellor of the university
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These are two examples Vanderbilt chancellor Daniel Diermeier gave Wednesday in explaining his school’s creation of a strategic initiative called Vanderbilt Enterprises, with longtime hospitality industry leader Markus Schreyer hired as CEO. Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 22 May 2025 The president also had a stint at Arkansas State University prior to Missouri, holding the role as the Jonesboro school’s diversity and community engagement vice chancellor. Lena Miano, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025 The German chancellor is looking to strengthen both Europe and Germany through firm leadership and heavier spending. Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 In a press conference with NATO’s Rutte last week, German chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that one percent of the country’s GDP would represent around 45 billion euros ($50 billion). Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chancellor

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chancellor was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chancellor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chancellor. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

chancellor

noun
chan·​cel·​lor ˈchan(t)-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce chancellor (audio)
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 How to pronounce chancellor (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on chancellor

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