chair

chair · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A piece of furniture for one person to sit on.

  2. 2.

    To preside over a meeting or committee.

  3. 3.

    The position of a professor or the head of a department.

  4. 4.

    The presiding officer of a meeting or committee.

  5. 5.

    The electric chair (execution device).

Forms

plural: chairs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    take the chair — to preside over a meeting
  • •
    musical chairs — a children's game; constant changes
  • •
    armchair critic — someone who offers opinions without experience
  • •
    chairman/chairwoman/chairperson — leader of a committee

Related words

See also: furniture, seat, stool, table
Synonyms: chairperson, seat, stool

Etymology

From Old French "chaiere" from Latin "cathedra" meaning seat or throne, from Greek "kathedra" meaning seat.