I. ˈ ̷ ̷mən noun
( plural chairmen )
1. : one who occupies a chair: as
a. : the presiding officer of a meeting or assembly
b. : the head officer of an organization or committee who is entitled to preside at its meetings and usually to exercise some authority in carrying on its affairs ; specifically : chairman of the board
c. : a professor or instructor who is chief officer of a department of instruction ; often : one who has relatively little power to determine policy and exercise authority except with the approval of his colleagues or of a committee of them — distinguished from head
2.
a. : one who serves as a carrier of a sedan chair
b. : one who wheels an invalid's chair
3. : one in charge : supervisor , director
chairman of refreshments for a club meeting
hospitality chairman
legislative chairman
chairman of freshman history courses
4. : a master of ceremonies of music-hall entertainments
II. transitive verb
( chairmaned or chairmanned ; chairmaned or chairmanned ; chairmaning or chairmanning ; chairmans )
Etymology: chairman (I)
1. : to act as chairman of (a meeting or assembly)
2. : to be chairman of (an organization or committee)