chief justice

noun

: the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

Examples of chief justice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is run by the Board of Regents, made up of six members of Congress, the chief justice and nine citizens. Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 Paul Newby, chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, removed Trosh from her position as chief judge of the Mecklenburg district court last year, and she was assigned to juvenile court cases. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025 Opinion: The chief justice is to blame for the Supreme Court’s free fall. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, the chief justice delivered the Court's opinion last year regarding Trump's presidential immunity case, ultimately saying that presidents have broad immunity for official actions. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chief justice

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chief justice was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Chief justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chief%20justice. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

chief justice

noun
: the presiding or principal judge of a court of justice

Legal Definition

chief justice

noun
: a chief judge of a usually higher level court
specifically, often capitalized : the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
chief justiceship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chief justice

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