Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun chieftain

2 senses of chieftain

Sense 1
captain, chieftain -- (the leader of a group of people; "a captain of industry")
       => leader -- (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)

Sense 2
headman, tribal chief, chieftain, chief -- (the head of a tribe or clan)
       => leader -- (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)