chairwoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, official
Quick answer
What does “chairwoman” mean?
A woman who presides over a meeting, committee, board, or organized body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who presides over a meeting, committee, board, or organized body.
A woman holding the highest position of authority in an organization, responsible for leading discussions, maintaining order, and representing the group. Can also refer to the female head of a company's board of directors (Chairwoman of the Board).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both regions use the term. The gender-neutral 'chair' or 'chairperson' is increasingly common in both, but 'chairwoman' remains in formal use when specifying gender is desired.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can carry connotations of formality and official capacity. Some may view it as outdated or unnecessarily gendered compared to 'chair'.
Frequency
Slightly less frequent than 'chairman' historically, but its usage has increased. The gender-neutral 'chair' is now very common, especially in corporate and academic contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “chairwoman” in a Sentence
Chairwoman of [committee/organization]Elected/appointed as chairwomanServe as chairwomanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chairwoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will chair the meeting next week.
- She has been chosen to chair the inquiry.
American English
- She will chair the board meeting on Tuesday.
- She agreed to chair the fundraising committee.
adjective
British English
- The chairwoman's report was thorough.
- We await the chairwoman's decision.
American English
- The chairwoman's role is defined in the bylaws.
- She has chairwoman responsibilities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Formal title for the woman leading a company's board of directors or a major committee.
Academic
Title for a woman presiding over a university department committee, a conference session, or a scholarly association.
Everyday
Less common; 'chair' or 'meeting leader' is more frequent in informal settings.
Technical
Used in formal parliamentary procedure, corporate governance documents, and official reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chairwoman”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chairwoman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chairwoman”
- Using 'chairwoman' as a verb (incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'chairwomen' for singular.
- Using it informally where 'chair' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially in formal, official, and legal contexts where specifying gender is relevant or traditional. However, the gender-neutral 'chair' or 'chairperson' is often preferred in modern, inclusive communication.
The correct plural is 'chairwomen'.
No. The related verb is 'to chair', which is gender-neutral (e.g., 'She will chair the meeting').
A 'chairwoman' typically presides over the meetings of a group (like a board or committee), ensuring procedure. A 'president' is often the chief executive officer of the entire organization. In some contexts, especially boards, the 'Chairwoman of the Board' is a separate, often more supervisory, role than the company's 'President'.
A woman who presides over a meeting, committee, board, or organized body.
Chairwoman is usually formal, official in register.
Chairwoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeəwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃerwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the chair (as chairwoman)”
- “To be in the chair”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WOMAN in the CHAIR of authority.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SEATED POSITION (sitting in the chair of power).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST formal and gender-specific term for a woman presiding over a meeting?