Chairperson
/ˈtʃɛrpɜːrsən/
Definitions
The person who leads or presides over a meeting, committee, or organization.
/ˈtʃɛrpɜːrsən/
Person presiding over a meeting or organization
The chairperson opened the meeting with a welcoming speech.
💡 Simply: It's like the boss of a meeting! The chairperson leads the discussion and makes sure things run smoothly, just like a teacher leads a class.
👶 For kids: The grown-up who's in charge of the meeting.
More Examples
The chairperson ensured all members had a chance to speak.
How It's Used
"The chairperson of the meeting called for a vote."
"The chairperson of the committee announced the decision."
From "chair" (meaning a presiding officer) + "person". The word evolved to be more inclusive than the previously used terms like "chairman", reflecting a shift towards gender-neutral language.
The term evolved as a gender-neutral alternative to 'chairman'.
Memory tip
Think 'chair' as in the head of the meeting, and 'person' as the individual.
Word Origin
"The 'chair' part refers to the position of authority, while 'person' specifies the individual holding that position."