1. an administrator in charge of a college or university division
2. the head of a cathedral chapter or collegiate church
Usage: religious
3. the senior member of a group

Examples

• The dean of students addressed the incoming freshmen.
• She was appointed dean of the medical school last year.
• The dean announced new graduation requirements.
• He served as dean of the cathedral for twenty years.
• As the dean of the faculty, she had been teaching there the longest.
• The dean of American journalists covered the story.
• Students must meet with the dean before changing majors.