Definition

1. Noun:
   • The leader of a group meeting: A person who is in charge of a formal meeting, assembly, or session, responsible for conducting its business, maintaining order, and ensuring that rules and procedures are followed.

Usage

• The presiding officer is a formal role, typically used in contexts like legislative bodies (e.g., parliaments, councils), committees, courts, or official assemblies.
• This person's duties include opening and closing the meeting, recognizing speakers, putting questions to a vote, and ruling on points of order.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The presiding officer called the meeting to order.
  • As the presiding officer, she ensured that the debate remained civil and productive.
  • The committee's presiding officer announced the results of the vote.

Advanced Usage

• "To act as presiding officer": To perform the duties of the leader of a meeting.
  • In the chairperson's absence, the vice-chair will act as presiding officer.

Variants and Related Words

• Chairperson (n): A person who presides over a meeting, committee, or board. (A common synonym, though 'presiding officer' can imply a more formal or specific procedural context.)
• Moderator (n): A person who presides over a debate or discussion, especially to ensure fairness.
• Speaker (n): The presiding officer in some legislative assemblies, such as the UK House of Commons or the US House of Representatives.

Synonyms

• Chair
• Chairman / Chairwoman
• President (of an assembly)

Related Phrases

• To take the chair: To assume the role of the presiding officer.
  • The deputy mayor will take the chair for today's session.
• Point of order: A query or objection raised concerning the rules of procedure, addressed to the presiding officer.
  • The delegate raised a point of order, which the presiding officer ruled on immediately.

Noun

1. the leader of a group meeting