chairperson

noun

chair·​per·​son ˈcher-ˌpər-sᵊn 

plural chairpersons or chairpeople

1

: the presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or event

2

: the administrative officer of a department of instruction (as in a college)

Synonyms of chairperson

• chairman
• president
• moderator
• presider

Examples of chairperson in a Sentence

A new chairperson for the committee has not yet been appointed.

the chairperson will determine the order in which people will speak

Recent Examples on the Web

With seven Republican members of the Oklahoma Legislature campaigning for statewide office, GOP leaders have kept those lawmakers in their leadership positions or as committee chairpersons, a reversal of policies instituted by previous House speakers or Senate pro tempores. —Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch, 21 Jan. 2026

Chris Tissue, who is chief operating officer at credit union consulting firm CUCollaborate, will be the board’s chairperson. —Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

In 2024, Uthmeier was the chairperson of the political committee Keep Florida Clean, a group set up to fight against the 2024 marijuana proposal. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026

Previously, Pattain worked as law clerk to Referee Jenese Larmouth in Ramsey County Family Court, and is a commissioner and vice chairperson of the Sustainability Commission for the City of Minnetonka. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chairperson

• layperson
• salesperson
• businessperson
• person
• worsen

Kids Definition

chairperson

noun

chair·​per·​son -ˌpər-sən 

: chair sense 2c