1
: accorded highest rank or office
chief librarian
the company's chief executive
2
: of greatest importance or influence
the chief reasons
their chief accomplishment
1
: the upper part of a heraldic field
2
: the head of a body of persons or an organization : leader
chief of police
3
: the principal or most valuable part
would never rest till she had read the chief of the letter to him—
Jane Austen
Jane AustenSynonyms
Examples of chief in a Sentence
Adjective
the chief engineer on the project
Her job is their chief source of income.
He has many concerns, chief among them his health.
Noun
the chief of the estate was left to the eldest son
our chief is out on a business trip right now
Recent Examples on the WebLisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 July 2024
Succeeding Clarke as president of advanced innovation is John Hoke, the current chief innovation officer.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 12 July 2024
Celebrities Who've Opened Up About Their Battles with Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Michael Roizen, the emeritus chief wellness officer of Cleveland Clinic who is also treating Kosar, said there is a 90% chance the retired athlete will need a new liver.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 12 July 2024
Baldwin is asking the Indiana Supreme Court's chief administrative officer, Justin Forkner, to review the case and determine whether rulings have, indeed, been delayed.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for chief 
Adjective
Rotating out of the Magnificent 7 John Davi, chief investment officer at Astoria Portfolio Advisors, believes that the interest rate cycle will pose more of a long-term impact than the election.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 July 2024
Succeeding Clarke as president of advanced innovation is John Hoke, the current chief innovation officer.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 12 July 2024
Celebrities Who've Opened Up About Their Battles with Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Michael Roizen, the emeritus chief wellness officer of Cleveland Clinic who is also treating Kosar, said there is a 90% chance the retired athlete will need a new liver.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 12 July 2024
Baldwin is asking the Indiana Supreme Court's chief administrative officer, Justin Forkner, to review the case and determine whether rulings have, indeed, been delayed.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for chief
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chief
Cite this Entry
“Chief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chief. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chief
2 of 2 noun
: the head of a group : leader
chief of police
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