First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1chair
noun \ˈcher\
: a seat for one person that has a back and usually four legs
: the person who is the leader of a department at a college or university
: the person who is the leader of a meeting, organization, committee, or event
Full Definition of CHAIR
1
a : a seat typically having four legs and a back for one person b : electric chair —used with the
2
a : 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 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
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Origin of CHAIR
Middle English chaiere, from Anglo-French, from Latin cathedra, from Greek kathedra, from kata- cata- + hedra seat — more at sit
Related to CHAIR
- Synonyms
- chairman, chairperson, moderator, president, presider, prolocutor, speaker
Rhymes with CHAIR
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2chair
verb
: to be in charge of a meeting, organization, committee, or event : to be the chairperson of (something)
Full Definition of CHAIR
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
See chair defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CHAIR
1552
Other Government and Politics Terms
CHAIR Defined for Kids
chair
noun \ˈcher\
Definition of CHAIR for Kids
1
: a seat for one person usually having a back and four legs
2
: a person who leads a meeting, group, or event
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