editor-in-chief

IPA/ˌedɪtər ɪn ˈtʃiːf/
IPA/ˌedɪtər ɪn ˈtʃiːf/

editor-in-chief — noun

1. the senior editor who has the final say on what a newspaper, magazine, or simila

1.nounB2
Definition

the senior editor who has the final say on what a newspaper, magazine, or similar publication publishes.

Example

After the scandal, Selim asked the editor-in-chief to review the story again.

collocation: ask the editor-in-chief to review a story

The editor-in-chief moved the election report to the front page.

collocation: move a report to the front page

Common collocations
  • appoint an editor-in-chief
  • editor-in-chief approved
  • former editor-in-chief
  • magazine editor-in-chief
  • newspaper editor-in-chief
Synonyms
  • editor

    broader term for anyone who edits; not always the senior decision-maker

  • managing editor

    often handles daily editorial operations and may rank below the editor-in-chief

  • executive editor

    another senior title, but responsibilities vary by publication

Grammar Patterns

the editor-in-chief of + publication

Usage Note

Usually the highest editorial title in a newspaper, magazine, or news site. Common with verbs such as appoint, approve, reject, and review.

Common Mistakes

I sent my homework to the editor-in-chief for corrections.
I sent my homework to the editor / teacher for corrections.
editor-in-chief means the person with final responsibility for a publication, not any person who checks writing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Editor-in-chief" names the person with the highest editorial authority in a publication. "Editor" is much broader and can describe anyone who edits text or helps shape content. "Managing editor" often focuses more on daily workflow and production schedules, while "executive editor" is also senior but may share or divide authority depending on the organisation. When you want to stress final editorial responsibility, "editor-in-chief" is the clearest choice.

editor ↗managing editor ↗executive editor

Common collocations

Nouns

  • editor-in-chief role
  • editor-in-chief position
  • editor-in-chief post

Phrases

  • appoint an editor-in-chief
  • serve as editor-in-chief
  • former editor-in-chief

Prepositions

  • editor-in-chief of

Etymology

English

"Editor-in-chief" is a compound title built from "editor" and the phrase "in chief," meaning "holding the highest rank." It developed in English to identify the senior editor with final authority over a publication's content.

First known use

1810

1810, in the meaning defined above