Preceding all others in status, rank, importance, or excellence; that comes at the beginning of a series arranged in order of rank or estimation…

Applied to people.

Chief, principal, main; special, solemn. Now chiefly in particular collocations: see also high altar, n., high day, n.1 1, high road, n., high street…

Of things, places, actions, events, etc. With the. Most important of its kind; pre-eminent; chief, main. Earliest in Great Day, n. 1 (see also…

Most high in situation, position, or rank; uppermost, highest, loftiest; †outermost.

At the head or top in importance; most important, influential, or active; principal, foremost, greatest. of things.

Separate from others by reason of superiority or pre-eminence. Obsolete.

Of a particular thing or person: first or highest in rank or importance; that is at the head of all… Of a thing: first, chief, most important.

Excellent, first-rate, exceptional; (also) †pre-eminent, principal, sovereign (obsolete). Cf. right royal at right, adv. 7b. Frequently (and now…

gen. On which something hinges or depends, fundamental; chief, principal; of special importance, pre-eminent. Chiefly used of abstract things.

Surpassing others in rank or excellence, or in respect of some quality; exceptionally distinguished; outstanding.

Chief, pre-eminent.

Chief or principal in permanent relation to others of the same kind or group.

Greater or more important than others of the same kind; pre-eminent; principal, chief, leading.

Of the highest rank or importance; principal, chief.

Chief, principal, leading, head-.

Chief, principal, prime, pre-eminent. (Now rarely used without the hyphen.)

Of a thing personified as female (or formerly with a noun grammatically feminine in Latin or French): that is a mistress; chief, leading, great. Obs…

Of a thing: main, principal, chief. Now rare.

Than which there is nothing higher; having no superior; supreme, paramount. Obsolete. rare.

Of a thought, aim, etc.: principal, chief, main; of primary importance; most valuable. Also in extended use.

figurative. Principal, chief. Obsolete.

Eminent beyond others; pre-eminent, supereminent.

In attributive use. With the and a noun of reason, purpose, etc. With exclusive force, indicating that only the circumstances described are to be…

Highest in respect of rank, importance, precedence, etc.; chiefest, first.

In predicative use: ‘first among equals’; designating the most senior or prominent in a group otherwise of the same rank or position. Also…

figurative. Very high or superior in position, rank, degree, amount, or estimation; chief, principal; pre-eminent, distinguished; overhanging…

Chief, supreme: applied esp. to high government departments or officials.

Usually as postmodifier. Better or more than all others of the same kind; pre-eminent, supreme.

attributive or quasi-adj. Entitled to a banner as a distinction (originally in banner state, banner county); hence, pre-eminent, supreme. U.S.

Christian Church. Of, relating to, or having ecclesiastical primacy; of or relating to a primate. Also in extended use.