chief justice

noun

: the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

Examples of chief justice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Opinion: The chief justice is to blame for the Supreme Court’s free fall. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, the chief justice delivered the Court's opinion last year regarding Trump's presidential immunity case, ultimately saying that presidents have broad immunity for official actions. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 Roberts, the chief justice of the United States, implied that Trump was targeting the American judicial system itself. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 The chief justice also had a prominent role in a major ruling last year that said presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution. arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chief justice

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chief justice was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Chief justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chief%20justice. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

chief justice

noun
: the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

Legal Definition

chief justice

noun
: a chief judge of a usually higher level court
specifically, often capitalized : the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
chief justiceship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chief justice

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