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Definition of chieftain

chieftain

/ˈtʃiːf.tən/
chief · tain
Plural:chieftains
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chieftain Lexical Profile

chieftain Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The leader or head of a people, clan, or tribe.

Example

"The clan chieftain welcomed the visiting dignitaries to the ancestral hall."

2

A powerful leader or top-ranking figure in a political, commercial, or criminal organization.

Example

"Several regional party chieftains met in the capital to negotiate the coalition agreement."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

chief
chiefdom
chiefly
chieftain
chieftess
chiffchaff
chifferobe

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French 'chevetaine', from Late Latin 'capitaneus' ('prominent' or 'chief'), derived from Latin 'caput' ('head'); it is a linguistic doublet of the word 'captain'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Chieftain. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/chieftain
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