chair meaning and definition

CHAIR noun

Definition of chair (noun)

1. a seat for one person, with a support for the back
   • "he put his coat over the back of the chair and sat down"
2. the position of professor
   • "he was awarded an endowed chair in economics"
   • synonyms: professorship
3. the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
   • "address your remarks to the chairperson"
   • synonyms: chairman, chairperson, chairwoman, president
4. an instrument of execution by electrocution; resembles an ordinary seat for one person
   • "the murderer was sentenced to die in the chair"
   • synonyms: death chair, electric chair, hot seat
5. a particular seat in an orchestra
   • "he is second chair violin"

CHAIR verb

Definition of chair (verb)

1. act or preside as chair, as of an academic department in a university
   • "She chaired the department for many years"
   • synonyms: chairman
2. preside over
   • "John moderated the discussion"
   • synonyms: lead, moderate