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.
The governor would appoint the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court if SB 296 passes. Erin Alberty, Axios, 8 Mar. 2025 California courts are underfunded, leading to delays in cases, chief justice says, via Sharon Bernstein. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 20 Jan. 2025 John Roberts, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, is expected to administer the oath to the incoming president, in line with tradition. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025 The chief justice asked for a response by Friday from the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and Global Health Council, which had sued over the funding delays. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 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 21 Mar. 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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