Definition of "chancellor" in English

noun

1. A senior secretary or official with administrative or legal duties, sometimes in charge of some area of government such as finance or justice.

   • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
   • Lord Chancellor

2. The head of the government in some German-speaking countries.

   • the Austrian Chancellor

3. (Christianity) A senior record keeper of a cathedral; a senior legal officer for a bishop or diocese in charge of hearing cases involving ecclesiastical law.

4. (education) The head of a university, sometimes purely ceremonial.

5. (Scots law) The foreman of a jury.

6. (US, law) The chief judge of a court of chancery (that is, one exercising equity jurisdiction).

7. (chess) A fairy chess piece which combines the moves of the rook and the knight.