chairman
gb/t͡ʃˈɛɹmən/ us/t͡ʃˈɛɹmən/
B1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Person in charge of a meeting or organization
The person who leads a meeting or group and makes sure it runs well.
Usage pattern:
the chairman of [organization/committee]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'chairman' with 'chair' when talking about furniture. In this context, it refers to a person, not an object.
Synonyms
chairperson (Gender-neutral alternative, used in formal and inclusive contexts.)
|
president (In some organizations, refers to the top executive role rather than meeting leader.)
Antonyms
member (A general participant without leadership responsibility.)
Collocations
chairman of the board
|acting chairman
|former chairman
|company chairman
|committee chairman
Themes
business
|politics
|management
|work
|communication
Examples
- The chairman called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.
- She was elected chairman of the school board last year.
- The chairman announced the results of the vote.
- After ten years, the chairman decided to step down from his role.
Learner examples
- The chairman opened the meeting.
- Our chairman is very friendly.
- She became the chairman last month.
- The chairman spoke to the group.
Grammar
Dictionary form
chairman
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈɛɹmən/
US/t͡ʃˈɛɹmən/
Syllables & stress
chair - man (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (chair)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: chairman
- Plural: chairmen
Word family
Forms
chairmen
noun
Core family
chair
noun A1
chairperson
noun
Related words
chairwoman
noun
chairmanship
noun
Expressions
chairman of the board
1/t͡ʃˈɛɹmən əv ðə bˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
Leader of a company's board of directors
The person who leads the group of people in charge of running a company at the highest level.
Examples
- He was appointed chairman of the board after twenty years with the company.
- The chairman of the board announced a new CEO today.