chairwoman
UK: ˈtʃeəˌwʊmən | US: ˈtʃerˌwʊmən
n. a woman who presides over a meeting, committee, or organization; the female equivalent of a chairman.
The word "chairwoman" is a compound formed in the late 19th century by combining "chair" (from Old French chaiere, meaning "seat of authority") and "woman" (from Old English wīfmann, meaning "adult female"). It emerged as a gender-specific counterpart to "chairman," reflecting societal shifts toward recognizing women in leadership roles. The morpheme "chair" retains its metaphorical sense of authority, while "woman" specifies gender, creating a clear and logical construction.
The chairwoman called the meeting to order.
She was elected chairwoman of the board last year.
The chairwoman emphasized the importance of teamwork.
As chairwoman, she introduced the new policy.
The committee praised the chairwoman for her leadership.