honcho

[hon-choh]

noun

plural

honchos 

1. a leader, especially an assertive leader; chief.

verb (used with object)

1. to organize, supervise, or be the leader of.

   She volunteered to honcho the new project.

honcho

/ ˈhɒntʃəʊ /

noun

1. the person in charge; the boss

verb

1. to supervise or be in charge of

Word History and Origins

Origin of honcho¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from Japanese hanchō “squad or group leader,” equivalent to han “squad” (from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese bān “group”) + -chō “eldest, chief”

Word History and Origins

Origin of honcho¹

C20: from Japanese han'chō group leader

Example Sentences

U.S. public health head honcho Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., fired Monarez over disagreements in vaccine policy, saying she was not “trustworthy.”

From Salon

The tech honcho was caught on the kiss cam during a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston, swaying with his company’s head of hiring.

From Salon

For decades, the lure of cartel cash has ensnared prosecutors, generals, mayors, governors — and even the country’s onetime top law enforcement honcho, Genaro García Luna, against whom Veytia testified in federal court in Brooklyn.

From Los Angeles Times

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s head honcho delivered half a minute of praise for Trump’s resilience, work ethic and other character traits that he very obviously doesn’t possess.

From Salon

He would be named head honcho simply because he is a great co-host.

From Los Angeles Times