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)

chairs, present (3rd person singular) chaired, past participle, past chairing present participle

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)

chairs, present (3rd person singular) chaired, past participle, past chairing present participle

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

Derived Forms

• unchair
  verb (used with object)
• chairless
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have chaired
  perfect
• has chaired
  perfect 3rd person singular
• chairing
  participle
• has been chairing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are chairing
  progressive
• am chairing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been chairing
  perfect progressive
• is chairing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• chairs
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had chaired
  perfect
• were chairing
  progressive plural
• was chairing
  progressive singular
• chaired
  participle
• had been chairing
  perfect progressive
• chaired
  simple

Future

• will chair
  simple
• will have chaired
  perfect
• will be chairing
  progressive
• will have been chairing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of chair

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

Explanation

A chair is a seat with four legs and a back to lean against. When you invite a large group for dinner, you have to make sure you find chairs for all of your guests. As opposed to a bench, couch, or sofa, a chair usually seats one single person. You might have wooden kitchen chairs and a comfortable, upholstered chair with arms for watching TV. Another kind of chair is the leader of an organization or group, and it's also a verb meaning to lead such a group: "I've been asked to chair the monthly meetings of the stamp collectors' club." The Old French root is chaiere, "seat or throne."

Example Sentences

The interim U.S.-Iran peace deal and lower oil prices change the game for Kevin Warsh’s first meeting as the Fed’s new chair, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Truist on Monday said Lyons joins the Charlotte, N.C., financial holding company on Sept. 1 to succeed Bill Rogers, who will become executive board chair.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

As well as a seat in the press box, a chair in each France news conference is being left empty to highlight his case.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

For the first time this week, Emma Raducanu sat on her chair and looked forlorn.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

He picked up the chalk, pointed at the blackboard, and wrote a large, crooked A. Turning in her big chair, Little Britches gave him all her attention.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• armchair
• bench
• recliner