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. the chair, Informal. 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. in the chair
   chairing a debate or meeting
8. take the chair
   to preside as chairman for a meeting, etc
9. the chair
   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 Words From

• chair·less adjective
• un·chair 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. get the chair, to be sentenced to die in the electric chair.
2. take the chair,
   1. to begin or open a meeting.
   2. to preside at a meeting; act as chairperson.

More idioms and phrases containing chair

see musical chairs .

Example Sentences

Rand Paul,a Kentucky senator and ophthalmologist, will become chair of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

From Science Magazine

Refoxos, Spain—When the researcher arrives, Herminia is already waiting for him, calmly seated on a chair in her courtyard, a leafy shelter providing protection from the unseasonably hot Sun.

From Science Magazine

Appointed SEC chair in 2021, Mr Gensler's term is technically supposed to run until 2026, but it is normal for agency leaders to depart their positions when a new administration begins.

From BBC

Mr Gilbert said he became "quite suspicious" and reported this payment and other things he found by going through the accounts to the chair, who then reported it to the board.

From BBC

On Thursday, the inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallett, had to occasionally interrupt the hearing to tell bereaved families in the public gallery - some of whom were clearly highly emotional - to lower photographs of their deceased relatives.

From BBC

Related Words

• armchair
• bench
• recliner