Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woman who presides over a meeting, committee, board, or organization: The "chairwoman" is the female officer responsible for leading discussions, maintaining order, and ensuring proper procedure during formal gatherings of a group.
   • A woman who holds the highest position of authority in a company or assembly: The term denotes the female leader who occupies the chair, or presiding position, within an organized body.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The chairwoman called the meeting to order.
  • As chairwoman of the board, she has the final say on major investments.
  • Please direct your questions to the chairwoman.

Advanced Usage

• "To chair" (verb): While "chairwoman" is a noun, the related verb "to chair" is used for the action of presiding over a meeting, regardless of the gender of the person doing it.
  • She will chair the conference next week.
• Formal Address: In very formal meetings, the chairwoman might be referred to as "Madam Chair" or "Madam Chairwoman" when speaking to her directly.

Variants and Related Words

• Chairperson (n): A gender-neutral term for a person who presides over a meeting or organization.
  • The chairperson opened the floor for debate.
• Chairman (n): The traditional term for a male who presides. "Chairwoman" is the female counterpart.
• Chair (n): A common, shortened, and increasingly gender-neutral term for the presiding officer.
  • The chair ruled the motion out of order.
• Presiding Officer (n): A formal description of the role.

Synonyms

• Presider: One who presides.
• Moderator: One who presides over a debate or meeting.
• Convener: One who calls a meeting together and often presides over it.

Related Phrases

• To take the chair: To assume the role of presiding officer.
  • She will take the chair for the annual general meeting.
• To address the chair: To speak formally to the presiding officer during a meeting.
  • Members must address the chair before speaking.

Related Idioms

• To be in the chair: To be acting as the presiding officer at a given time.
  • With the regular chairwoman absent, the vice-president was in the chair.

Noun

1. the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
   • address your remarks to the chairperson