Results

Definition of chieftain : A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan.

Synonyms:

maitre d', skipper, director, headman, leader, honcho, head, sea captain, cock of the walk, boss, hierarch, master, senior pilot, maitre d'hotel, foreman, top dog, headsman, tribal chief, police chief, headwaiter, police captain, over, gaffer, chief, captain

Usage examples:

• It was no new thing to her to hear her knight's fame celebrated on all sides; but now that she listened to his praises bursting forth in the stillness of night from the mouth of his enemies, she could scarce refrain from kneeling at the feet of the mighty chieftain. - "Sintram and His Companions", Friedrich de la Motte Fouque Commentator: Charlotte M. Yonge.
• No man's life was safe who fell under the displeasure of the ruling military chieftain; and woman's honour was held in equally slight respect. - "The Lone Ranche", Captain Mayne Reid.
• If by any extraordinary accident a mean person acquired riches, a circumstance so singular made him be known and remarked; he became the object of envy, as well as of indignation, to all the nobles; he would have great difficulty to defend what he had acquired; and he would find it impossible to protect himself from oppression, except by courting the patronage of some great chieftain, and paying a large price for his safety. - "The History of England, Volume I", David Hume.