chair: Meaning and Definition of
chair
Pronunciation: (châr), [key] — n.
- a seat, esp. for one person, usually having four legs for support and a rest for the back and often having rests for the arms.
- something that serves as a chair or supports like a chair: The two men clasped hands to make a chair for their injured companion.
- a seat of office or authority.
- a position of authority, as of a judge, professor, etc.
- the person occupying a seat of office, esp. the chairperson of a meeting: The speaker addressed the chair.
- (in an orchestra) the position of a player, assigned by rank; desk: first clarinet chair.
- See
- chairlift.
- See
- (in reinforced-concrete construction) a device for maintaining the position of reinforcing rods or strands during the pouring operation.
- a glassmaker's bench having extended arms on which a blowpipe is rolled in shaping glass.
- a metal block for supporting a rail and securing it to a crosstie or the like.
- to be sentenced to die in the electric chair.
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- to begin or open a meeting.
- to preside at a meeting; act as chairperson.
—v.t. - to place or seat in a chair.
- to install in office.
- to preside over; act as chairperson of: to chair a committee.
- to carry (a hero or victor) aloft in triumph.
—v.i. - to preside over a meeting, committee, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.