chieftain

noun

chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən How to pronounce chieftain (audio)
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftainship noun

Examples of chieftain in a Sentence

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.
Hollywood chieftains of yesteryear were never an admirable crew. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 24 Mar. 2026 Across four continents, his visionary quests as an entrepreneur, explorer, chieftain, and adventurer were all united by his lack of success. Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026 After the cowboys’ home had yellowed to memory, illustrators such as Frederic Remington set about romanticizing the Westerner, a process vigorously seized upon by the chieftains of Hollywood. Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026 Federal prosecutors allege that Martinez was the victor of a violent internal power struggle that ensued when longtime OC gang chieftain Peter Ojeda died in federal prison, leaving a leadership vacuum within the OC faction of the Mexican Mafia. Sean Emery, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chieftain

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chieftain was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chieftain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chieftain. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

chieftain

noun
chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən How to pronounce chieftain (audio)
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftaincy
-sē
noun
chieftainship noun

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