Chief (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. the head or leader of an organized body of people; the person highest in authority: the chief of police.
  2. the head or ruler of a tribe or clan: an Indian chief.
  3. a title of some advisers to the Chief of Staff, who do not, in most instances, command the troop units of their arms or services: Chief of Engineers;Chief Signal Officer.
  4. boss or leader: We'll have to talk to the chief about this.
  5. Heraldry.
    • the upper area of an escutcheon.
    • an ordinary occupying this area.
adjective
  1. highest in rank or authority: the chief priest; the chief administrator.
  2. most important; principal: his chief merit;the chief difficulty.
adverb
  1. chiefly; principally.
Idioms
  1. in chief,
    • in the chief position; highest in rank (used in combination): editor in chief; commander in chief.
    • in the upper part of an escutcheon.
noun
  1. the head, leader, or most important individual in a group or body of people
  2. another word for chieftain (def. 2)
  3. the upper third of a shield
  4. primarily; especially
adjective
  1. (prenominal)
    • most important; principal
    • highest in rank or authority
adverb
  1. principally
Chief (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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