chair

noun

\ ˈcher

Definition of chair

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

b : electric chair —used with the

2a : 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 sense 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

chair

verb

chaired; chairing; chairs

Definition of chair (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about chair

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Examples of chair in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Keep one of these on hand if want to tighten up those wobbly legs on your tables and chairs. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Every Tool You Need In Your DIY Kit, Plus When To Actually Use It," 24 Jan. 2019 The no-frills production (a couple of fabric panels with facsimiles of the letters on them, a few chairs and table, off-the-rack costumes, and no lighting to speak of), minimally directed by Mikhaela Mahony, didn’t help. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Taking Up Serpents’ and ‘Dear Erich’ Reviews: Operas Haunted by the Past," 15 Jan. 2019 The basics, however, like sofas and chairs and coffee tables, are investments. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Joanna Gaines’ New Book 'Homebody' Reminds Us Why There’s No Place Like Home," 8 Nov. 2018 THURSDAY 26 Trucks & Tunes Every Thursday, food trucks on site, 5-9:30 p.m. Plus, a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own blanket or chair. — Mary Lou Cruz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Wellington area events July 18-28," 13 July 2018 Guests are welcome to bring blankets, chairs and picnic baskets. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Learn moves — for free — from Milwaukee Ballet dancers at The Mayfair Collection," 11 July 2018 For six tuneful weeks, serious music lovers and folks just looking to beat the heat bring blankets and lawn chairs to Dearborn City Hall Park for an evening of performances by local acts. — Greg Crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Plan your weekend: Rib Fest; magic of David Blaine; art in Ferndale, Wyandotte," 5 July 2018 For the majority of people, one to two yearly visits to the dentist chair should do it, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Exactly How Often You Really Need to See Different Kinds of Doctors," 17 Jan. 2019 Sitting in the same chair, True and Chicago can be seen looking at one another, with baby Chi's stare particularly intent. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "True Thompson and Chicago West Having a Deep Conversation Will Make Your Day," 30 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Today, three siblings are physicians, one worked for the CIA, and another chaired a university department. — Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, "I Was One Of The Top Doctors In My Field. I Was Also An Opioid Addict.," 25 Feb. 2019 Another indicator of the significance of this launch is that Vice President Mike Pence, who chairs the National Space Council, is expected to attend. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Tuesday may deliver a triple-header of big launches to cap 2018," 17 Dec. 2018 Hancock, one of the Monuments Men who recovered artworks looted by the Nazis, was a PAFA alumnus and later chaired the school’s sculpture department. — Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, "PAFA acquires California press' prints by African American artists," 5 July 2018 Annie Leibovitz shot Clooney, who is co-chairing the Catholicism-themed Met Gala next month, at her British estate, Aberlash House. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "7 Things We Learned From Amal Clooney’s Vogue Interview," 10 Apr. 2018 But the anti-monopoly fervor would not stand for such an enormous company, and Stanley, considered a champion of the Progressive Era, chaired the proceedings. — Daniel Fernandez, Smithsonian, "Before Zuckerberg, These Six Corporate Titans Testified Before Congress," 10 Apr. 2018 Fight Back for a Better Tomorrow is an independent expenditure committee chaired by James Sweeney, president of the politically active International Brotherhood of Operating Engineers Local 150. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Morning Spin: Day after Supreme Court news, Emanuel jokes he'd 'like to pull out of this one nation and one state'," 29 June 2018 The report also scolds the surveillance of former Trump campaign advisor Carter Page, an incident which has become a mainstay for the Republican majority of the committee, chaired by California Republican Devin Nunes. — Louise Matsakis, WIRED, "The House Intel Committee's Russia Report Doesn't Let Trump Off the Hook," 27 Apr. 2018 Much of the material in the Justice Department's 93-count indictment came from an investigation of the website that was produced by a congressional committee chaired by Portman. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, "President Donald Trump signs bill to fight online sex trafficking," 11 Apr. 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.