chief

noun

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

chiefship

ˈchēf-ˌship 

noun

see also:

in chief

Synonyms of chief

• body
• core
• bulk
• weight
• majority
• main
• staple

Examples of chief in a Sentence

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 Web

That became part of a broader shake-up at CBS News after Weiss was named to the new role of editor-in-chief by parent company Paramount late last year following David Ellison’s arrival as the network’s corporate leader. —Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 6 June 2026

Fired 60 Minutes veteran Scott Pelley hasn’t quoted poet John Masefield in any of his scathing statements since embattled CBS News chief Bari Weiss and new newsmagazine EP Nick Bilton canned him for rejecting their regime earlier this week. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 June 2026

The village also announced promotions for Kristin Kolar, who is the new deputy chief, Heather Cognac, who was named commander, and Nick Weglarek, who was promoted to sergeant. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026

His wife, Val Demings, is also a former Orlando police chief and congresswoman. —Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French chief, chef head, chief, from Latin caput head — more at head

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chief

• air chief marshal
• chief constable
• chief executive
• chief executive officer
• chief justice
• chief master sergeant
• chief master sergeant of the air force
• chief of naval operations
• chief of police
• chief of staff
• chief of state
• chief petty officer
• chief warrant officer
• commander in chief
• crew chief
• editor in chief
• fire chief
• in chief
• master chief petty officer
• master chief petty officer of the coast guard
• master chief petty officer of the navy
• senior chief petty officer
• sub-chief

Rhymes for chief

• beef
• brief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• thief
• belief

Kids Definition

chief

1 of 2 adjective

ˈchēf 

1

: highest in rank or authority

chief librarian

2

: most important : main

your chief claim to fame

chief

2 of 2 noun

: the head of a group : leader

chief of police

Etymology

Middle English chief "top part, head," from early French chief "head, chief," from Latin caput "head" — related to capital, captain