chairman (n.)

chair, moderator, committee/department head, presiding officer, presider, president, chairer, convener, coordinator, group coordinator, leader, discussion/group/committee leader, head, speaker, organizer, facilitator, officiator, director, supervisor, manager, overseer, administrator, monitor, clerk. Some people use "chairwoman" and "chairman," but it is better to keep this term gender-free because "chairwoman" is perceived as a less weighty word and because "chairperson" is an awkward and self-conscious term used primarily for women. There is much linguistic support for the short, simple "chair": it was, in fact, the original term (1647), with "chairman" coming into the language in 1654 and "chairwoman" in 1685. Using "chair" as both noun and verb nicely parallels the use of "head" for both noun and verb. (People who are upset about being called "a piece of furniture" apparently have no problem with the gruesome picture of a "head" directing a department, division, or group, nor is there evidence that anyone has actually confused people chairing meetings with their chairs.) See also chairman (v.), chairmanship.