chairman

Chairman refers to the presiding officer of a meeting, committee, board, or organization who is responsible for maintaining order and managing business. Originating in late Middle English, the term combines "chair"—symbolizing the seat of authority—with "man." Historically, it served as the universal title for the head of a deliberative body, used formally in parliamentary procedure, corporate governance, and academic departments.

Usage of the term is contested regarding gender neutrality. Critics argue that the suffix "-man" is exclusionary, reinforcing a linguistic bias that treats male leadership as the default and rendering women or non-binary leaders invisible; as a result, major style guides (such as AP and APA) now prefer "chair" or "chairperson." Conversely, defenders of the term note that "-man" historically functioned as a gender-neutral suffix meaning "person" (akin to "human"). Furthermore, some women who hold the position explicitly prefer the title "Chairman" to align with historical precedent and emphasize the authority of the office rather than their gender.

Example:
"The board voted unanimously to re-elect the incumbent chairman for another term."

Example:
"Madame Chairman, I move that we table the discussion until the next session."