chairman
CHAIR-muhn
Chairman (noun) means the person who leads a board, committee, or meeting. Example: “The chairman opened the shareholder meeting with a summary of the year's results.”
noun
1
The person who leads a board, committee, or meeting.
"The chairman opened the shareholder meeting with a summary of the year's results."
"The chairman asked everyone to speak one at a time during the discussion."
"Our club chairman thanked the volunteers at the end of the evening."
verb
1
To act as chairman of a group or meeting.
"He has chairmanned the board since its founding."
"She was asked to chairman the school fundraising committee this year."
"Who will chairman tomorrow's meeting while Sam is away on holiday?"
How to use chairman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe head of a board, committee, or company; the gender-neutral alternatives are "chair" and "chairperson."
When to use it
Many organizations now prefer "chair" or "chairperson" over "chairman" for gender neutrality.
Common pairings
company chairman
chairman of the board
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Word forms
- Plural
- chairmen
- Third person singular
- chairmans
- Past tense
- chairmaned, chairmanned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ opened the shareholder meeting with a summary of the year's results.
Etymology
A compound of "chair" and "-man," dating to the head of a meeting who traditionally sat in the chief seat.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for chairman
See all rhymes for chairman →Frequently asked questions
What does “chairman” mean?
The word “chairman” means the person who leads a board, committee, or meeting. In plain terms, the head of a board, committee, or company; the gender-neutral alternatives are "chair" and "chairperson.".
How do you pronounce “chairman”?
“Chairman” is pronounced CHAIR-muhn (/ˈtʃɛɹ.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “chairman” in a sentence?
Here is “chairman” used in a sentence: “The chairman opened the shareholder meeting with a summary of the year's results.”
What part of speech is “chairman”?
Depending on how it is used, “chairman” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “chairman” a common word?
“Chairman” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “chairman” have?
“Chairman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the person who leads a board, committee, or meeting.
What is the difference between a chairman and a CEO?
A chairman leads the board of directors, chairing meetings and overseeing governance on behalf of shareholders. A CEO runs the company day to day and reports to the board. In some firms one person holds both roles, but they are distinct functions with different responsibilities and, ideally, a degree of separation.
What is the difference between chairman and chairperson?
They name the same role, but chairman is the traditional term, while chairperson, chair, and chairwoman offer gender-neutral or female alternatives. Many organisations now prefer chair or chairperson to avoid assuming gender, though chairman remains widely used and understood, especially in older or more formal settings.
What does a chairman do?
A chairman leads meetings, sets the agenda, keeps discussion orderly, and ensures decisions are properly made and recorded. On a board, they guide overall strategy and governance, represent the organisation, and often act as a link between the board and the executives, without necessarily managing daily operations themselves.
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