noun
chieftain
CHEEF-tuhn
Chieftain (noun) means the leader of a clan, tribe, or group, especially in traditional or historical contexts. Example: “The clan chieftain called his warriors together before the battle.”
noun
1
The leader of a clan, tribe, or group, especially in traditional or historical contexts.
"The clan chieftain called his warriors together before the battle."
"The robber chieftain divided up the spoils."
"They were probably the work of individual craftsmen working to meet the chieftains' needs. Their place in the chronology of the big cemeteries is indicated by the less richly-decorated double-springed bronze brooches which are found here."
— Kazimierz Godłowski, The chronology of the Late Roman and early migration periods in Central Europe (1970)
How to use chieftain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tribal or clan leader — a more old-fashioned, traditional word than "chief."
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Word forms
- Plural
- chieftains
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The clan _____ called his warriors together before the battle.
Etymology
From Old French chevetaine, from Latin capitaneus ("head, chief") — the same root that gave English "captain."
Related words
Rhymes for chieftain
See all rhymes for chieftain →Frequently asked questions
What does “chieftain” mean?
The word “chieftain” means the leader of a clan, tribe, or group, especially in traditional or historical contexts. In plain terms, a tribal or clan leader — a more old-fashioned, traditional word than "chief.".
How do you pronounce “chieftain”?
“Chieftain” is pronounced CHEEF-tuhn (/ˈt͡ʃiːf.tən/ in IPA).
How do you use “chieftain” in a sentence?
Here is “chieftain” used in a sentence: “The clan chieftain called his warriors together before the battle.”
What part of speech is “chieftain”?
“Chieftain” is a noun.
Where does the word “chieftain” come from?
The word “chieftain” comes from Latin. From Old French chevetaine, from Latin capitaneus ("head, chief") — the same root that gave English "captain.".
