chairman of the board: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, primarily business and corporate governance.
Quick answer
What does “chairman of the board” mean?
The person who presides over the board of directors of a company or organization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The person who presides over the board of directors of a company or organization.
The highest-ranking officer and formal leader of a board of directors, with ultimate responsibility for the board's governance, strategic oversight, and often a key public-facing role for the organization. In modern governance, the role is increasingly separated from the day-to-day CEO/Managing Director function.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Chairman' remains common in traditional corporate contexts, though 'Chair' is widely adopted in public/government sectors. In the US, corporate and legal documents predominantly use 'Chairman of the Board' (often abbreviated in filings). Gender-neutral 'Chair' or 'Chairperson' is more prevalent in US non-profits and newer companies.
Connotations
UK: Can sound traditional, sometimes associated with established, hierarchical companies. US: Strongly associated with corporate power, as in Fortune 500 companies. In both, the gendered term can be seen as non-inclusive.
Frequency
High frequency in formal business, finance, and governance contexts in both regions. Rare in everyday casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “chairman of the board” in a Sentence
[Company Name]'s chairman of the boardThe chairman of the board of [Company Name]to be/become/act as chairman of the boardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chairman of the board” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was asked to chairman the board meeting in her absence.
- She has chaired the board for a decade.
American English
- He will chair the board's compensation committee.
- She has been chairing the board since the merger.
adjective
British English
- The chairman-of-the-board role is non-executive.
- A chairman's report is expected.
American English
- The chairman-of-the-board position opened up.
- We reviewed the chairman's proposal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Primary context. Refers to the top governance role in corporations, responsible for leading board meetings and representing shareholder interests.
Academic
Used in business studies, corporate governance, and leadership literature.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when discussing major company news (e.g., 'The chairman of the board resigned.').
Technical
Specific term in corporate law, securities regulations, and company bylaws.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chairman of the board”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chairman of the board”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chairman of the board”
- Using it interchangeably with 'CEO' (the CEO runs the company; the chairman runs the board).
- Omitting 'of the board' when the specific governance title is needed.
- Using 'chairman' for a woman without confirming her preferred title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Chairman of the Board leads the board of directors, which oversees the company. The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is the top manager who runs the company's day-to-day operations. Sometimes one person holds both roles, but this is becoming less common for governance reasons.
The most common alternatives are 'Chair of the Board' or 'Board Chair'. 'Chairperson of the Board' is also used but is less concise. The specific title is often defined in a company's bylaws.
Yes. The Chairman is typically elected by the other members of the board of directors. They can be removed from the chairman role by a vote of the board, and can also be removed from the board entirely by the company's shareholders.
Yes, though the title is often simplified to 'Board Chair' or 'Chairperson' in the non-profit sector. The role is similar, providing leadership to the volunteer board that governs the organisation.
The person who presides over the board of directors of a company or organization.
Chairman of the board is usually formal, primarily business and corporate governance. in register.
Chairman of the board: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeəmən əv ðə bɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃermən əv ðə bɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The buck stops with the chairman of the board.”
- “To be in the chairman's seat.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a literal CHAIR at the head of a BOARDroom table. The person in that CHAIR leads the BOARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADERSHIP IS BEING AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE / GOVERNANCE IS STEWARDSHIP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction between a 'Chairman of the Board' and a 'Chief Executive Officer (CEO)'?