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

But Bruce Edelston, policy chairperson for Drive Electric Florida, an EV advocacy group, said Florida’s diversion of the money is wrong. — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

The commission chairperson typically serves as an advocate for the tribal gambling industry in Washington, according to former commissioners and staffers. — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

The legislation also effectively prevents the county’s new members — the incoming chairperson, along with either three or four new commissioners who will take office in January — from sitting on the group next year. — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Chadema deputy chairperson John Heche said the officials were arrested over planned protests this month that failed to materialize because of a heavy police presence. — ABC News, 25 July 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