chieftain
noun
chief·tain ˈchēf-tən 
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftainship
ˈchēf-tən-ˌship
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Prince Durin IV appears to figure as this series' dwarf chieftain. 
Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 22 July 2022 His father, Aurvandil War-Raven (Ethan Hawke), is a pretty fun dad for a warrior chieftain, turning Amleth’s initiation ceremony into a night of silly, flatulent horseplay. New York Times, 21 Apr. 2022 Zog is for his grandfather, an Ottoman bey, or chieftain, who became prime minister of Albania in 1922 and upgraded himself to president three years later, then to king in 1928. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2022 My father had been a leading Mountaineer and would still maintain the general superiority in skill and hardihood of the Above Boys (his own faction) over the Below Boys (so were they called), of which party his contemporary had been a chieftain. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 Based on the true story of Ka'iana, a war chieftain who travels to the outside world and learns more about the men invading his island home. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 12 Apr. 2022 Like when Bennett wanted to sing jazz, and Mitch Miller, the white-bread chieftain of Columbia Records, would rarely relent. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 21 Mar. 2022 Chicago has furnished Leonard with a new breed of patron—folks like Roy Boyle (Simon Russell Beale), a Mob chieftain, and Roy’s son Richie (Dylan O’Brien), a poor reflection of his father’s solid self. The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2022 The game’s intro cinematic shows us several of these characters, including Hoarah Loux, chieftain of the Badlands. Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2020 See More
Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 22 July 2022 His father, Aurvandil War-Raven (Ethan Hawke), is a pretty fun dad for a warrior chieftain, turning Amleth’s initiation ceremony into a night of silly, flatulent horseplay. New York Times, 21 Apr. 2022 Zog is for his grandfather, an Ottoman bey, or chieftain, who became prime minister of Albania in 1922 and upgraded himself to president three years later, then to king in 1928. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2022 My father had been a leading Mountaineer and would still maintain the general superiority in skill and hardihood of the Above Boys (his own faction) over the Below Boys (so were they called), of which party his contemporary had been a chieftain. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 Based on the true story of Ka'iana, a war chieftain who travels to the outside world and learns more about the men invading his island home. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 12 Apr. 2022 Like when Bennett wanted to sing jazz, and Mitch Miller, the white-bread chieftain of Columbia Records, would rarely relent. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 21 Mar. 2022 Chicago has furnished Leonard with a new breed of patron—folks like Roy Boyle (Simon Russell Beale), a Mob chieftain, and Roy’s son Richie (Dylan O’Brien), a poor reflection of his father’s solid self. The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2022 The game’s intro cinematic shows us several of these characters, including Hoarah Loux, chieftain of the Badlands. Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2020 See More 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
Kids Definition
chieftain
noun
chief·tain ˈchēf-tən
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftainship
noun
as in directorship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- directorship
- commandership
- kingship
- headship
- helm
- chair
- presidency
- governorship
- mastership
- chairmanship
- sovereignty
- superintendency
- dictatorship
- dominion
- generalship
- lead
- captainship
- deanship
- vanguard
- premiership
- presidentship
- jurisdiction
- dominance
- mastery
- throne
- driver's seat
- rein(s)
- head
- forefront
- eminence
- seat
- sway
- upper hand
- pinnacle
- top
- pedestal
- height
- sovranty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ranks