plural chairs
1
: a seat for one person that has a back and usually four legs
a chair by the window
We'll need a table and four chairs for the dining room.
Please pull up a chair [=bring a chair to where we are] and join us.
2
a
: the person who is the leader of a department at a college or university
He is now chair of the English department.
b
: the person who is the leader of a meeting, organization, committee, or event
She's chair of the school board this year.
Address any questions to the committee chair.
3
US, informal
: electric chair
a murderer who was sentenced/sent to the chair
chairs; chaired; chairing
: to be in charge of a meeting, organization, committee, or event : to be the chairperson of (something)
He's been chosen to chair the task force on school violence.
Cite this Entry
“Chair.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/chair. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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