chief

Chief is a noun describing a person who holds the highest or leading position in a group, organization, or community. It can also be an adjective meaning "main" or "principal," as in chief concern. The term is widely used across sectors to denote authority or prominence.

In contemporary institutions, "chief" appears in many job titles such as chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief information officer, and chief of police. These positions typically signify senior leadership responsible for strategy and major decisions; duties and powers vary by organization and legal framework.

In many Indigenous and traditional societies, a chief is a leader who represents the community, oversees governance, and mediates relations with other groups. Chiefs may be hereditary, elected, or selected by certain councils, and the role can include ceremonial duties in addition to governance.

Etymology: from Old French chef, from Latin caput meaning "head." The term conveys both leadership and prominence, and while it denotes authority, actual power is often constrained by laws, constitutions, or communal norms in modern contexts.