chair
- 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.
- something that serves as a chair or supports like a chair: The two men clasped hands to make a chair for their injured companion.
- a seat of office or authority.
- a position of authority, as of a judge, professor, etc.
- the person occupying a seat of office, especially the chairperson of a meeting: The speaker addressed the chair.
- (in an orchestra) the position of a player, assigned by rank; desk: first clarinet chair.
- the chair, Informal. electric chair.
- chairlift.
- sedan chair.
- (in reinforced-concrete construction) a device for maintaining the position of reinforcing rods or strands during the pouring operation.
- a glassmaker's bench having extended arms on which a blowpipe is rolled in shaping glass.
- British Railroads. a metal block for supporting a rail and securing it to a crosstie or the like.
- to place or seat in a chair.
- to install in office.
- to preside over; act as chairperson of: to chair a committee.
- British. to carry (a hero or victor) aloft in triumph.
- to preside over a meeting, committee, etc.
- get the chair, to be sentenced to die in the electric chair.
- take the chair,
- to begin or open a meeting.
- to preside at a meeting; act as chairperson.
Origin of chair
Usage note
Related Words for chaired
preside, oversee, supervise, ordain, administer, govern, chair, officiate, control, organize, run, attend, manage, regulate, direct, keep, handle, operate, order, refereeExamples from the Web for chaired
Contemporary Examples of chaired
Its board of directors is chaired by billionaire industrialist and conservative political donor Charles G. Koch.
This isn't the first scandal for Conyers, who chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 2006-2010.
It was sponsored by something called the American Fact-Finding Committee, chaired by ring-wing organizer Bernard Weissman.
Dallas Lays Elaborate but Dignified Plans to Celebrate Assassination AnniversaryHelen Anders
November 2, 2013
The Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, will be chaired by Aerin Lauder.
Kate Moss and Johnny Depp Reunite for Music Video; Mario Testino Receives Honorary OBE from QueenThe Fashion Beast Team
October 14, 2013
All but Ryan have chaired the Republican Study Committee, the bloc of arch-conservatives in the House.
Historical Examples of chaired
Even then, as I have heard from one of his nearest relatives, it was with reluctance that he submitted to be chaired.
The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, Vol. 4 (of 4)Thomas Babington Macaulay
Not contented with vociferous cheering, he was chaired and borne around in triumph, much to his discomfort.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich TchaikovskyModeste Tchaikovsky
I would have thee to understand, sirrah, that thou art fitter for the house they have chaired thee unto than for mine.
On this uncomfortable but splendid seat, Mr. Fox was chaired all round Covent Garden, amidst the cheers of his friends.
Chatterbox, 1906Various
He was then chaired and made the usual tour of the Piazza, distributing largess to the people.
Venice and its StoryThomas Okey
chair
- a seat with a back on which one person sits, typically having four legs and often having arms
- an official position of authoritya chair on the board of directors
- the person chairing a debate or meetingthe speaker addressed the chair
- a professorshipthe chair of German
- railways an iron or steel cradle bolted to a sleeper in which the rail sits and is locked in position
- short for sedan chair
- in the chair chairing a debate or meeting
- take the chair to preside as chairman for a meeting, etc
- the chair an informal name for electric chair
- to preside over (a meeting)
- British to carry aloft in a sitting position after a triumph or great achievement
- to provide with a chair of office
- to install in a chair
Word Origin for chair
Word Origin and History for chaired
chair
mid-15c., "install in a chair or seat" (implied in chairing), from chair (n.); meaning "preside over" (a meeting, etc.) is attested by 1921. Related: Chaired.
chair
early 13c., chaere, from Old French chaiere "chair, seat, throne" (12c.; Modern French chaire "pulpit, throne;" the more modest sense having gone since 16c. with variant form chaise), from Latin cathedra "seat" (see cathedral).
Figurative sense of "authority" was in Middle English, of bishops and professors. Meaning "office of a professor" (1816) is extended from the seat from which a professor lectures (mid-15c.). Meaning "seat of a person presiding at meeting" is from 1640s. As short for electric chair from 1900.
Idioms and Phrases with chaired
chair
see musical chairs.