chair

[ chair ]

/ tʃɛər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR chair ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

to preside over a meeting, committee, etc.

Nearby words

Idioms

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

1250–1300; Middle English chaiere < Old French < Latin cathedra; see cathedra

Related formschair·less, adjectiveun·chair, verb (used with object)

Can be confusedchair chairman chairperson chairwoman (see usage note at chairperson)

Usage note

5. See chairperson.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chaired

Its board of directors is chaired by billionaire industrialist and conservative political donor Charles G. Koch.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society|Center for Public Integrity|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This isn't the first scandal for Conyers, who chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 2006-2010.
After 49 Years In Congress, John Conyers May Not Make The Ballot|Ben Jacobs|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Anniversary|Helen Anders|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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 Queen|The Fashion Beast Team|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

All but Ryan have chaired the Republican Study Committee, the bloc of arch-conservatives in the House.
Life After Boehner|Michael Tomasky|September 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Not contented with vociferous cheering, he was chaired and borne around in triumph, much to his discomfort.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
The day the member was chaired, several men in Coningsby's rooms were talking over their triumph.
Coningsby|Benjamin Disraeli
Two or three decent little tabled and chaired and lighted rooms would do.
The Letters of Henry James, Vol. II|Henry James
Mr. Phillips refused to be chaired, saying that he should spend the money amongst the people in other ways.
Worcestershire in the Nineteenth Century|T. C. Turberville
I would have thee to understand, sirrah, that thou art fitter for the house they have chaired thee unto than for mine.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXVIII. February, 1843. Vol. LIII.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for chaired

chair

/ (tʃɛə) /

noun

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

verb (tr)

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

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

chair

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of chair

Usage note

Examples from the Web for chaired

chair

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for chair

chair

chair

chair