chieftain

noun

chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən How to pronounce chieftain (audio)
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftainship noun

Examples of chieftain 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.
There, Dylan meets Sky (Eve Lindley, recently seen in Bros and Dispatches from Elsewhere), an equestrian who’s involved romantically with the ranch’s brooding chieftain (The Conners’ Rene Rosado) but takes an immediate liking to Dylan. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 12 July 2024 In 1598 an alliance of chieftains in the north of Ireland, a stronghold of resistance to English rule, mounted a guerrilla war against the Elizabethan crown. Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2024 The Israeli military did not specify whether Hezbollah chieftain Hassan Nasrallah, who last week had harshly denounced the recent Israeli attacks and vowed revenge, was a target. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 Bernadine is the great-granddaughter of Victorio, the Chiricahua Apache warrior and chieftain. Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chieftain 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chieftain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chieftain

Cite this Entry

“Chieftain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chieftain. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chieftain

noun
chief·​tain ˈchēf-tən How to pronounce chieftain (audio)
: a chief especially of a band, tribe, or clan
chieftaincy
-sē
noun
chieftainship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chieftain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!