in chief Definition

chief
noun

1. The head of a tribe, clan, etc.
2. A leader.
3. The person in charge of any group, organization, department, etc.

Thesaurus: superior, leader, head, boss, master, ringleader, captain, commander, director, manager, ruler.

adj

1. Used in titles, etc: first in rank; leading.

Example: chief inspector
2. Main; most important; principal.

Thesaurus: principal, predominant, main, paramount, central, essential, vital, primary, supreme, foremost, key; Antonym: minor, secondary, junior.

Idiom: in chief

Mainly; especially; most of all.

Etymology: 13c: from French chef, from Latin caput head.