chieftain

noun

chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən 

: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan

chieftainship

ˈchēf-tən-ˌship 

noun

Examples of chieftain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With bow and arrow in hand, Anghba finds his hunt for a wild boar across a riverbank interrupted by a raft floating downstream, as former tribespeople surround a jovial American preacher (Douglas Henshall), much to the chieftain’s chagrin. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

As new-ish CBS News chieftain Bari Weiss looks poised to rule over CNN too, there are worries in Blue State and MSM circles about the fate of the cable newser — a thorn in Donald Trump‘s paw — if the ParaBros deal closes. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

For decades, the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia was led by Peter Ojeda, a longtime Santa Ana gang chieftain who maintained control over the local streets and jails even after a federal racketeering conviction in 2006 left him in a prison cell three time zones away. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026

Their bearded chieftain goes weak at the knees with Marian piety. — Nat Segnit, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chieftaine, from Anglo-French chevetain, from Late Latin capitaneus chief — more at captain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chieftain

noun

chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən 

: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan

chieftaincy

-sē

noun

chieftainship

-ˌship 

noun