1. the position, rank, or office of a chieftain
2. the territory or domain ruled by a chieftain

Examples

• He inherited the chieftaincy from his father at age twenty-five.
• The tribal council voted to establish a new chieftaincy in the northern region.
• Her chieftaincy extended over three villages in the valley.
• The chieftaincy had been vacant for two years following the chief’s death.
• Traditional ceremonies marked the beginning of his chieftaincy.
• The boundaries of the chieftaincy were clearly defined by ancient treaties.