chair

American  

[chair] / tʃɛər /

noun

1. a seat, especially for one person, usually having four legs for support and a rest for the back and often having rests for the arms.

2. something that serves as a chair or supports like a chair.

   The two men clasped hands to make a chair for their injured companion.

3. a seat of office or authority.

4. a position of authority, as of a judge, professor, etc.

5. the person occupying a seat of office, especially the chairperson of a meeting.

   The speaker addressed the chair.

6. (in an orchestra) the position of a player, assigned by rank; desk.

   first clarinet chair.

7. Informal. the chair, electric chair.

8. chairlift.

9. sedan chair.

10. (in reinforced-concrete construction) a device for maintaining the position of reinforcing rods or strands during the pouring operation.

11. a glassmaker's bench having extended arms on which a blowpipe is rolled in shaping glass.

12. British Railroads. a metal block for supporting a rail and securing it to a crosstie or the like.

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verb (used with object)

1. to place or seat in a chair.

2. to install in office.

3. to preside over; act as chairperson of.

   to chair a committee.

4. British. to carry (a hero or victor) aloft in triumph.

verb (used without object)

1. to preside over a meeting, committee, etc.

idioms

1. take the chair,

   1. to begin or open a meeting.

   2. to preside at a meeting; act as chairperson.

2. get the chair, to be sentenced to die in the electric chair.

chair British  

/ tʃɛə /

noun

1. a seat with a back on which one person sits, typically having four legs and often having arms

2. an official position of authority

   a chair on the board of directors

3. the person chairing a debate or meeting

   the speaker addressed the chair

4. a professorship

   the chair of German

5. railways an iron or steel cradle bolted to a sleeper in which the rail sits and is locked in position

6. short for sedan chair

7. chairing a debate or meeting

8. to preside as chairman for a meeting, etc

9. an informal name for electric chair

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verb

1. to preside over (a meeting)

2. to carry aloft in a sitting position after a triumph or great achievement

3. to provide with a chair of office

4. to install in a chair

chair More Idioms  

1. see musical chairs.

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Gender

Is it chair, chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson? See chairperson.

Other Word Forms

• chairless adjective
• unchair verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of chair

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chaiere, from Old French, from Latin cathedra; cathedra

Example Sentences

“Kraft Heinz is already seeing the benefit of Steve’s deep industry experience and proven track record of building brands and leading large-scale transformations,” John Cahill, chair of Kraft Heinz’s board, said Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

“On set, we were all trying to find that thing that made us get goosebumps. One of the earliest scenes we shot was where Heathcliff breaks the chair to build Cathy a fire.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission will probe the county’s Correctional Health Services during its next meeting, specifically eight suicides and 10 drug-related deaths that occurred in 2025, said Hans Johnson, commission chair.

From Los Angeles Times

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We are actively working with families in Leeds to appoint a chair and agree terms of reference for this vital review."

From BBC

It also includes increased representation of women in parliament, and the election of the deputy speaker and parliamentary committee chairs from the opposition.

From Barron's

Related Words

• armchair
• bench
• recliner