chair

[chair]

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.

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.

chair

/ 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

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

Gender Note

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

Other Word Forms

• chairless adjective
• unchair verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of chair¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chair¹

C13: from Old French chaiere, from Latin cathedra, from Greek kathedra, from kata- down + hedra seat; compare _cathedral

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see musical chairs.

Example Sentences

Noel delivered a clean run to ensure his Finnish rival didn't stay long in the leader's chair.

Read more on Barron's

“There’s no secret dial under the Resolute Desk” to lower prices, said Jared Bernstein, who was chair of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Biden administration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But now she's selling the chair - and matching cage - as she declutters in readiness for moving to Scotland.

Read more on BBC

These chairs are widely regarded as precursors of modern office chairs that swivel and tilt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the conclusion of the meeting, Johnson, the chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, called on the Sheriff’s Department to take steps to ensure it is conducting fair and thorough reviews of all inmate allegations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• armchair 
• bench 
• recliner