chairman

[chair-muhn]

noun

plural

chairmen 

1. the presiding officer of a meeting, committee, board, etc.

2. the administrative head of a department in a high school, college, or university.

3. someone employed to carry or wheel a person in a chair.

verb (used with object)

chairmaned, chairmanned, chairmaning, chairmanning. 

1. to act as or be chairman of (a meeting, committee, etc.).

chairman

/ ˈtʃɛəmən /

noun

1. Also called: chairperson.  chairwoman. a person who presides over a company's board of directors, a committee, a debate, an administrative department, etc

2. history someone who carries a sedan chair

Usage

Chairman can seem inappropriate when applied to a woman, while chairwoman can be offensive. Chair and chairperson can be applied to either a man or a woman; chair is generally preferred to chairperson

Gender Note

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

Other Word Forms

• chairmanship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chairman¹

First recorded in 1645–55; chair + -man

Example Sentences

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and chief executive at Seminole Gaming, said in a news release that the casino would “set a new standard for entertainment in the region.”

From Los Angeles Times

Charles Munger, Jr., son of the former Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman, contributed more than $32 million to the Hold Politicians Accountable PAC.

From Los Angeles Times

His approach was the third expression of interest rejected by the club's board since the sudden departure of executive chairman Daniel Levy in September.

From BBC

Workers will return in the next few years, but Evtec's chairman David Roberts told the BBC the stoppage has had a dramatic impact on communities in the West Midlands, and uncertainty remains.

From BBC

Leicester said they were "saddened to learn of the passing of our former chairman" who "brought passion and charisma to the club" during his tenure.

From BBC

Related Words

• administrator 
• chairperson 
• chairwoman 
• director 
• leader 
• spokesman