chair
cheh-uh
Chair (noun) means a piece of furniture for one person to sit on, typically with a back and four legs. Example: “She pulled up a chair and joined the conversation.”
noun
1
A piece of furniture for one person to sit on, typically with a back and four legs.
"She pulled up a chair and joined the conversation."
"The old wooden chair creaked under his weight."
"Would you like to take the chair by the window, where it's warmer?"
2
The person who leads or presides over a meeting, committee, or organization.
"The chair called the meeting to order at nine sharp."
"As chair of the parents' group, Maria thanked everyone for coming along."
"The chair asked members to raise their hands before speaking."
verb
1
To preside over or lead a meeting or committee.
"She has chaired the committee for the past three years."
"Who will chair tomorrow's meeting while the manager is away?"
"He chaired the discussion calmly, even when people disagreed loudly."
How to use chair
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA seat for one person, or the person (or role) in charge of running a meeting or committee.
Common pairings
chair a meeting
take a seat/chair
the chair recognizes...
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- chairs
- Past tense
- chaired
Fill the gap
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She pulled up a _____ and joined the conversation.
Etymology
From Old French chaiere, from Latin cathedra ("seat"), from Greek kathedra — the same root behind "cathedral" and "chaise."
Synonyms
View more →
seat
president
lead
chairman
moderate
chairperson
chairwoman
hot seat
death chair
professorship
electric chair
Related words
Rhymes for chair
See all rhymes for chair →Frequently asked questions
What does “chair” mean?
The word “chair” means a piece of furniture for one person to sit on, typically with a back and four legs. In plain terms, a seat for one person, or the person (or role) in charge of running a meeting or committee.
How do you pronounce “chair”?
“Chair” is pronounced cheh-uh (/t͡ʃɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chair” in a sentence?
Here is “chair” used in a sentence: “She pulled up a chair and joined the conversation.”
What part of speech is “chair”?
Depending on how it is used, “chair” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chair” come from?
The word “chair” comes from Latin. From Old French chaiere, from Latin cathedra ("seat"), from Greek kathedra — the same root behind "cathedral" and "chaise.".
Is “chair” a common word?
“Chair” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “chair” have?
“Chair” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of furniture for one person to sit on, typically with a back and four legs.
What is the difference between a chair and a stool?
The main difference is the back. A chair has a supporting back to lean against and usually four legs, while a stool has a seat with no back and often no arms. Stools tend to be simpler and are common at bars and counters, where quick, upright seating is useful.
What is the difference between a chair and an armchair?
An armchair is a type of chair with padded supports on each side for resting the arms, making it wider and more comfortable for relaxing. A basic chair, such as a dining or office chair, may have no arms at all. Every armchair is a chair, but not every chair has arms.
What are the types of chairs?
Chairs come in many forms suited to different uses: dining chairs for the table, office chairs on wheels, armchairs and recliners for relaxing, rocking chairs, folding chairs for extra seating, and high chairs for infants. They vary widely in material, from wood and metal to plastic and upholstery.
Does 'chair' also mean a person?
Yes. Beyond the furniture, 'chair' refers to the person who leads a meeting, committee, or organisation — short for chairperson, chairman, or chairwoman. To 'chair' a meeting is to run it. The term comes from the seat of authority once occupied by whoever presided.
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