chairs definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

chair [ cher ]

noun (plural chairs)

Definition:

1. seat with back: a seat with a back support, usually for one person. Most chairs have four legs or feet and some have rests for the arms.

2. ( informal )
Same as electric chair

3. chairperson: somebody presiding over something such as a committee, board, or meeting, or the position of such a person

4. education somebody who holds endowed professorship: somebody who holds an endowed professorship at a university

5. music ranked position of orchestral musician: the ranked position of a musician in an orchestra

6. construction supporting device during pouring of concrete: a device to keep reinforcing rods in place during the pouring of concrete

transitive verb (past and past participle chaired, present participle chair·ing, 3rd person present singular chairs)

Definition:

1. preside over something: to preside over something such as a committee, board, or meeting

2. U.K. carry winner on shoulders: to carry a victor or champion on the shoulders in triumph

[13th century. Via Old French chaiere< Latin cathedra "seat"]

Word Usage


	Chair has long been used to mean "the authority or position of chairman," and has been extended to mean "the presiding officer of a committee or meeting," in order to avoid having to use the gender-specific terms chairman or chairwoman. An alternative is chairperson, though it is disliked by some people.