chair

noun \ ˈcher \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: chair in a Sentence

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

Rescuers built a mockup of the tight passage with chairs.

— shibani mahtani, Washington Post, "‘Time is running out’: Inside the treacherous rescue of boys trapped in a Thai cave," 13 July 2018
Even free haircuts are being given away on plastic chairs under a tent and a local cafe brought in an espresso and cappuccino machine to make fresh coffee.

— thomas maresca, USA TODAY, "Thai navy SEAL commander: 'Limited amount of time' left to rescue trapped soccer team," 6 July 2018
Inside there’s a gleaming white helm, with two captains chairs, and living quarters that wouldn’t look out of place in 2001: A Space Odyssey, with an almost harshly minimalist white design.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "The Funky Boat Circling the Planet on Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Gas," 5 July 2018
Many residents with rejas fill their patio spaces with chairs, tables, hammocks or wind chimes.

— cassie owens, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Latinos connect with Caribbean roots through ornate porch gates," 5 July 2018
People sat on chairs or lounged on blankets on both sides of the street, or watched from front porches and houses on Union as well as the University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital parking deck or the Havre de Grace Library.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace Independence Parade steps out on Union Ave.," 2 July 2018
And there are strict rules about not leaving plates on the table or putting feet up on chairs.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "Uruguay: Soccer’s Dead Poets Society," 29 June 2018
The company bought out the restaurant for the day, cleared away the tables, and built a little presentation area complete with a TV, loudspeaker, and chairs.

— ron amadeo, Ars Technica, "Talking to Google Duplex: Google’s human-like phone AI feels revolutionary," 27 June 2018
Luxury flats with angular chairs and oversized espresso machines in the lobby have sprouted opposite liquor stores.

— The Economist, "In praise of gentrification," 21 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

chaired; chairing; chairs

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

Stoltenberg has the challenging task of chairing the first major gathering of western leaders since a Group of Seven meeting last month ended with Trump insulting the host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

— lorne cook, The Seattle Times, "EU official criticizes Trump over attitude toward allies," 10 July 2018
On a recent visit to the shuttered office, trash covered a rickety cot and chairs visible in the entryway.

— dan levin, New York Times, "A Tech Guru Captivated Canada. Then He Fled to China.," 10 July 2018
In the family room, a Clifford Ross photo is framed on the wall across from original Milo Baughman chairs passed down from Rubenstein's parents.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: This six-bedroom home in Carmel's West Clay could be yours for $950,000," 6 July 2018
The sports division said it will be chaired by former NBA player Stephon Marbury, a basketball icon in Beijing.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Meet The Chinese Media Tycoon Behind West Hartford's Tech Hub," 4 July 2018
The House Select Committee on Benghazi, which Gowdy chaired, was formed in May 2014.

— chuck todd, NBC News, "Meet the three most important states to watch over the next two years," 29 June 2018
Only 10% of lead independent directors are women, and just 4% of boards are chaired by a woman.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Women Are Being Added to Boards at a Record Pace—But the Most Powerful Seats Are Still Reserved for Men," 21 June 2018
Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, chaired a White House commission on the epidemic.

— lev facher, STAT, "Empty desks, squabbles, inexperienced staff: Exactly who is coordinating White House drug policy?," 18 June 2018
An Arctic environment example My own involvement with U.S.-Russia relations started with chairing the first formal dialogue between NATO and Russia regarding environmental security in the Arctic Ocean.

— paul arthur berkman, Scientific American, "Could Science Diplomacy Be the Key to Stabilizing International Relations?," 12 June 2018

First Known Use of chair

1552

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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