Chief parent at home (4)
I believe the answer is:
main
'chief' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'parent at home' is the wordplay.
'parent' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mum or mother).
'at home' becomes 'in' ('I'm in' can mean 'I'm at home').
'ma'+'in'='MAIN'
(Other definitions for main that I've seen before include "Cardinal" , "associated with the Spanish?" , "Principal sea" , "Foremost" , "Source of electricity" .)