chair

noun \ ˈcher \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of chair

1 a : a seat typically having four legs and a back for one person

b : electric chair —used with the

2 a : an official seat or a seat of authority, state, or dignity

b : an office or position of authority or dignity

c : professorship

holds a university chair

d : chairman 1

3 : a sedan chair

4 : a position of employment usually of one occupying a chair or desk; specifically : the position of a player in an orchestra or band

5 : any of various devices that hold up or support

See chair defined for English-language learners

See chair defined for kids

Examples of chair in a Sentence

a chair by the window
We'll need a table and four chairs for the dining room.
He is now chair of the English department.
She's chair of the school board this year.
Address any questions to the committee chair.
a murderer who was sentenced to the chair

Recent Examples of chair from the Web

After losing, the 25-year-old Serb sat slumped in his chair, shaking his head in disappointment.

— jerome pugmire, kansascity, "Blue Valley North grad Jack Sock becomes first US man to pull off this feat since 2010," 5 Nov. 2017
Guenther turns from his chair toward Bengals guard from the 70s and 80s and current radio analyst Dave Lapham.

— paul dehner jr., Cincinnati.com, "Burfict: Bengals' run defense 'can't underestimate' Jaguars' Fournette," 3 Nov. 2017
Besides not allowing walk-ins, Breeders’ Cup has tight security that limits general admission ticket-holders to specific areas, and most of the usual rules about carry-in items have changed (leave your beach chair, cooler and backpack at home).

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Del Mar racetrack in final countdown for Breeders' Cup," 2 Nov. 2017
Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome, as are chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Day of the Dead, carnivals," 1 Nov. 2017
The organization has a fairly small staff and budget, notes Alec Boksenberg, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and former chair of the U.K. National Commission for UNESCO.

— tania rabesandratana, Science | AAAS, "Trump’s UNESCO exit draws critics, but will have little immediate impact," 16 Oct. 2017
Sometimes, Cusson would just roll into the room from the hall on his office chair or stride into the room and walk around the patient’s bed.

— josh kovner, courant.com, "Arrest Warrant Details Abuse Of Whiting Patient," 4 Oct. 2017
His chair had felt red-hot as a frying pan, his legs limp as cotton.

— The Economist, "Midnight and countingStanislav Petrov was declared to have died on September 18th," 30 Sep. 2017
My predecessor, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, had not been the most active chair in fundraising at a time when President Barack Obama’s neglect had left the party in significant debt.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Longtime Clinton Ally Says DNC Rigged Primary for Hillary," 2 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chair

Middle English chaiere, from Anglo-French, from Latin cathedra, from Greek kathedra, from kata- cata- + hedra seat — more at sit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

chair Synonyms

Synonyms

driver's seat, head, headship, helm, rein(s);

Near Antonyms

ranks;

forefront, lead, vanguard;

captainship, chairmanship, deanship, dictatorship, generalship, governorship, kingship, mastership, mastery, premiership, presidency, presidentship, superintendency;

dominance, dominion, jurisdiction, sovereignty (also sovranty), sway, upper hand;

eminence, height, pedestal, pinnacle, seat, throne, top;

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

chair

verb

Definition of chair

transitive verb

1 : to install in office

2 chiefly British : to carry on the shoulders in acclaim

we chaired you through the market place
—A. E. Housman

3 : to preside as chairman of

See chair defined for English-language learners

Examples of chair in a Sentence

He's been chosen to chair the task force on school violence.

Recent Examples of chair from the Web

Home Secretary Amber Rudd chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee, known as Cobra, to discuss the investigation, which is now in the hands of counterterrorism police.

— Bloomberg.com, "Russian Ex-Spy Case Needs ‘Cool Head,’ British Minister Says," 3 Apr. 2018
Badey chaired her congressional campaigns in 2014 and 2016.

— stu bykofsky, Philly.com, "Progressive pol punished for honest answer | Stu Bykofsky," 2 Apr. 2018
David Batchelder, a new Lowe’s board member and former director at Home Depot, is chairing the committee responsible for finding a replacement.

— imani moise, WSJ, "Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock to Retire," 26 Mar. 2018
The sponsors in the House are Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Penn.

— michael collins, USA TODAY, "Republicans release new plan to lower health premiums, stabilize Obamacare markets," 19 Mar. 2018
Andy Langan chaired the church's search committee that brought Gilmore to Winnetka.

— kathy routliffe, chicagotribune.com, "Faith, social justice part of Rev. Paul Gilmore's mission at Winnetka Presbyterian," 19 Mar. 2018
Its selection committee, chaired this year by Hillsboro native and Nevada associate athletic director Rhonda Lundin Bennett, always unveils its 64-team women's field on a Monday.

— andrew greif, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Ducks prepared for NCAA Tournament by searching for 'scoops'," 15 Mar. 2018
With the deadline ignored, May was chairing a meeting of Britain’s National Security Council on Wednesday morning.

— alexander smith, NBC News, "Russian spy poisoning: Britain’s Theresa May plans retaliation," 14 Mar. 2018
May is chairing a National Security Council meeting Monday to hear the latest evidence.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Widow of ex-spy urges UK to sanction Russians," 12 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of chair

1552

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

CHAIR Defined for English Language Learners

chair

noun

Definition of chair for English Language Learners

: a seat for one person that has a back and usually four legs
: the person who is the leader of a department at a college or university
: the person who is the leader of a meeting, organization, committee, or event

chair

verb

Definition of chair for English Language Learners

: to be in charge of a meeting, organization, committee, or event : to be the chairperson of (something)

CHAIR Defined for Kids

chair

noun \ ˈcher \

Definition of chair for Students

1 : a seat for one person usually having a back and four legs

2 : a person who leads a meeting, group, or event

Learn More about chair

See words that rhyme with chair Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chair Spanish Central: Translation of chair Nglish: Translation of chair for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chair for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chair

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chair

Definition of chair

Examples of chair in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chair from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chair

chair Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

chair

Definition of chair

Examples of chair in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chair from the Web

First Known Use of chair

Other Government and Politics Terms

Phrases Related to CHAIR

Related Phrases

CHAIR Defined for English Language Learners

chair

Definition of chair for English Language Learners

chair

Definition of chair for English Language Learners

CHAIR Defined for Kids

chair

Definition of chair for Students

Learn More about chair

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