chief
n. countablen. the person in charge of a group or organization. You use this to talk about a leader, like a boss or a head of police.
n. the person with the highest rank or authority within an organization or group. Often used as a title or to denote the head of a specific department, such as a fire or police service.
The police chief spoke to the reporters this morning.
After the CEO resigned, the board appointed the former operations chief to lead the company through the transition.
While the formal hierarchy lists several directors, the village chief remains the primary arbiter of local disputes and the most influential figure in community decision-making.
From Middle English cheef, chef, from Old French chef, chief (“leader”), from Vulgar Latin capus, from Latin caput (“head”) (from which also captain, chieftain), from Proto-Italic kaput, from Proto-Indo-European káput. Doublet of cape (“point of land”), capo, caput, and chef through Latin (possibly also related to cape (“sleeveless garment”) and cap (“head covering”) from Latin cappa); doublet of head and Howth through Proto-Indo-European.
Often used as a title before a name or as a standalone noun to refer to a superior.