chief justice

[cheef juhs-tis]

noun

1. Law.,  the presiding judge of a court having several members.

2. Official Title Chief Justice of the United States. (initial capital letters),  the presiding judge of the U.S. Supreme Court.

chief justice

noun

1. (in any of several Commonwealth countries) the judge presiding over a supreme court

2. (in the US) the presiding judge of a court composed of a number of members

Other Word Forms

• chief justiceship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chief justice¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

Growing up around his father’s law office, he became a messenger boy in the state Senate, where he met Gov. Earl Warren, the future chief justice.

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"After he was apprehended by the courtroom security, the chief justice told the lawyers to continue their arguments and not get distracted," Mr Jha added.

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In recent years, the chief justice and his conservative colleagues have questioned the idea that Congress can shield officials from direct control by the president.

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Not only does the 73-year-old former chief justice need to appoint a new cabinet, she must rebuild confidence in the country's leadership.

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But she has not been free from controversy, having faced an impeachment incident during her nearly 11-month tenure as chief justice.

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