What does chairperson mean?
A chairperson is the individual who presides over a meeting, committee, board, or other organized body — the person who calls meetings to order, sets agendas, keeps discussion on track, and often holds the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The word emerged in the 1970s as a gender-neutral alternative to "chairman," which had long been used generically regardless of whether the officeholder was a man or a woman. Today it appears throughout corporate governance, academic institutions, nonprofit boards, and legislative bodies, and it is considered standard in formal writing. In everyday speech many people shorten it simply to "chair," which serves the same purpose with fewer syllables. Whether describing the head of a small volunteer committee or the leader of a multinational company's board, "chairperson" signals authority exercised through procedure and consensus rather than hierarchy alone. Its adoption reflects a broader shift in English toward occupational titles that describe roles rather than genders.
nounThe person who presides over a meeting, committee, or organization; the neutral, gender-inclusive term for a chairman or chairwoman.
- The person who presides over a meeting or committee.
- The head of an organization, board, or department.
"The committee elected Dr. Osei as its new chairperson at the start of the fiscal year."
"As chairperson of the review panel, she had the casting vote on all final decisions."
"He served three terms as chairperson before stepping down last spring."
The regular plural "chairpersons" is standard; some writers prefer "chairs" collectively.
"All regional chairpersons will attend the annual summit in October."
It's one of English's most successful attempts to fix a biased word — "chairperson" was coined in the 1970s so that no woman had to be called "Madam Chairman" ever again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chairperson
Chairperson is a compound of "chair" and "person." The noun "chair" entered Middle English from Old French "chaiere," ultimately from Latin "cathedra" (seat), borrowed from Greek "kathedra," meaning seat or bench. The metaphorical sense of "chair" as the seat of authority — hence the person occupying it — developed in the 17th century, giving rise to "chairman." "Chairperson" was coined in the 1970s, during a period when gender-neutral alternatives to established titles were being actively proposed, and has since become fully standard in formal usage.
Related word forms
How chairperson is actually used
"Chairperson" is formal and widely used in official documents, bylaws, and institutional contexts. Many organizations now simply use "chair" for both men and women, finding it more concise; others retain "chairman" or use gendered pairs. "Chairperson" carries a neutral, inclusive connotation and avoids assumptions about the officeholder's gender.
Easily confused with chairperson
"Chairman" is the traditional gender-specific term for a man (or historically anyone) holding the role, whereas "chairperson" is deliberately gender-neutral.