# chieftain

/ˈtʃiftən/ (US) · /tʃˈiːftən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chieftain
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. tribal leader

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the leader of a tribe or a large family group called a clan.

For teachers: the head or leader of a clan or tribe, typically in a traditional or historical context.

- The Scottish chieftain led his clan into the valley to meet the king.
- Archaeologists discovered a burial site containing ornate gold jewellery, suggesting it belonged to a powerful Iron Age chieftain.

### 2. group leader

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a leader of a specific group, sometimes used to describe someone powerful in business or politics.

For teachers: a leader of a group or faction; occasionally used metaphorically in political or corporate contexts to describe a powerful figure.

- The local party chieftain decided which candidate would run for office.
- The corporate chieftain oversaw a vast network of subsidiaries, maintaining absolute control over the company's strategic direction.

## Examples

- The chieftain made the final decision for the village.
- After the meeting, the chieftain walked through the village to greet the elders and hear their concerns.
- The chieftain's authority was not based on formal laws but on a deep-seated tradition of oral history and the respect of his ancestors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.