chief justice

[ cheef juhs-tis ]

noun

1. Law. the presiding judge of a court having several members.
2. (initial capital letters) Official_title Chief Justice of the United States. the presiding judge of the U.S. Supreme Court.

chief justice

noun

1. (in any of several Commonwealth countries) the judge presiding over a supreme court
2. (in the US) the presiding judge of a court composed of a number of members

Derived Forms

• chief justiceship, noun

Other Words From

• chief jus·tice·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chief justice¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

At his farewell on Friday, the outgoing chief justice said he was perhaps India’s most trolled judge, but his “shoulders are broad enough to accept all criticism”.

From BBC

The country’s first female chief justice has recently been accused of failing to properly investigate and tackle allegations of bribery and corruption within the judiciary.

From BBC

The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with activists protesting for justice, criticism of the Congress-led state government, and a letter to the Rajasthan chief justice calling for a ban on celebrations.

From BBC

Lord Woolf, a former chief justice of England and Wales, told the BBC he thought Gauke would be a “very good person” to lead the sentencing review.

From BBC

Under Zambia's constitution, all judges, including the chief justice, are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the JCC and with the approval of the National Assembly.

From BBC