chieftain

[ cheef-tuhn, -tin ]

noun

1. the chief of a clan or a tribe.
2. a leader of a group, band, etc.:

   the robbers' chieftain.

3. Chieftain, Military. Britain's main battle tank since 1969, fitted with a 120 mm gun and two machine guns and weighing 55 tons (50 metric tons).

chieftain

/ ˈtʃiːftən; -tɪn /

noun

1. the head or leader of a tribe or clan
2. the chief of a group of people

Derived Forms

• ˈchieftaincy, noun

Other Words From

• chieftain·cy chieftain·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chieftain¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English cheftayne, variant of chevetaine, from Old French, from Late Latin capitāneus “chief”; captain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chieftain¹

C14: from Old French chevetaine, from Late Latin capitāneus commander; see captain

Example Sentences

"I tried using the time constructively," Mr Devonport, who served as a Chieftain gunner in the First Royal Tank Regiment, said.

From BBC

The Israeli military did not specify whether the Hezbollah chieftain, who last week had harshly denounced the recent Israeli attacks and vowed revenge, was a target.

From Los Angeles Times

The chair’s name, the Chieftain, feels apt here, as Opie appears calm, regal and in control.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chieftain, on the other hand, makes her feel like “a proper size.“

From Los Angeles Times

Opie got her Chieftain chair in exchange for one of her photographs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bigwig
• boss
• tribal chief