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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | 'head, chief', from Latin caput 'head' |
1 the most important person, or one of the most important people, in a company or organization - used especially in job titles and in news reports 
Most health chiefs believe the reforms have gone too far.industry chiefs
somebody in charge of an organization
Most health chiefs believe the reforms have gone too far.industry chiefs commander-in-chief/editor-in-chief etc (=used in job titles for people with the highest rank) They offered him the position of editor-in-chief.
They offered him the position of editor-in-chief.2 the ruler of a tribe : the Zulu leader, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi
ruler of tribe
PGthe Zulu leader, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi3 used to say there are too many people saying how something should be done and not enough people doing it
too many chiefs and not enough Indians
British English4 the person in charge of a group of people, company, organization etc - used humorously
