chairman
chairman Lexical Profile
chairman Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The presiding officer of a meeting, committee, board, or organization, often the highest-ranking official of a corporate board of directors.
"The chairman of the board called the annual shareholders' meeting to order."
Historically, a person whose occupation was to carry passengers in a sedan chair or to wheel a bath chair.
"In eighteenth-century London, wealthy patrons hired a pair of chairmen to carry them through the muddy streets."
• verb
To preside over or act as the chairman of a meeting, committee, or organization.
"The senior senator was selected to chairman the bipartisan commission on economic reform."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary usage, gender-neutral alternatives such as "chair" or "chairperson" are frequently preferred over "chairman" when referring to a position in general or to a woman holding the office.
• Rhymes for chairman
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-17th century as a compound of "chair" (referring to a seat of office or authority) and "man".