# chairmen

/ˈtʃɛɹmɪn/ (US) · /tʃˈeəmɛn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chairmen
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the people who lead a meeting, a committee, or a large company. You use this word when talking about more than one leader.

For teachers: the plural form of 'chairman'; refers to multiple presiding officers of an assembly, meeting, or board of directors.

## Examples

- The chairmen of both companies met to discuss the merger.
- After the conference, the chairmen from the various regional committees gathered to sign the final agreement.
- While modern corporate governance often prefers the gender-neutral 'chairs', many historical records still list the influential chairmen who shaped the industry during the twentieth century.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The chairmens are here." but "The chairmen are here." — Chairmen is already the plural form of chairman; adding an 's' is a common error.

## Usage notes

- Takes a plural verb; the gender-neutral alternatives 'chairs' or 'chairpersons' are increasingly common in professional contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.