chair ‧ man S3 W1 /ˈtʃeəmən $ ˈtʃer-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural chairmen /-mən/) [countable]
1 . someone, especially a man, who is in charge of a meeting or directs the work of a committee or an organization ⇨ chairwoman
chairman of
Potts was appointed chairman of the education committee.
deputy/vice chairman
Barrett serves as vice chairman.
► Many people use chairperson or chair instead, to avoid suggesting that this person must be a man.
2 . British English someone who is in charge of a large company or organization:
the chairman of British Aerospace
Williams has been chairman of the board for five years.