'chair' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'chaiere', ultimately from Latin 'cathedra' and Greek 'kathedra', where 'kathedra' meant 'seat' or 'bench'.

'chair' changed from Old French 'chaiere' and Middle English 'chayer/chair' and eventually became the modern English word 'chair'.

Initially, it meant 'a seat' (especially a raised seat or throne), and over time it evolved into the common modern meaning of 'a seat for one person' and the figurative sense 'office of presiding (chairing)'.