noun
Refers to a piece of furniture for sitting, including chairs, stools, and benches. The most common everyday meaning.
新しい椅子を買いました。
I bought a new chair.
この椅子は座り心地がいい。
This chair is comfortable to sit on.
noun
Figurative use referring to a job, position, or role within an organization. Often used in phrases like 椅子を狙う (aim for a position) or 椅子を争う (compete for a post).
彼は社長の椅子を狙っている。
He is aiming for the president's position.
大臣の椅子を争う候補者が多い。
There are many candidates competing for the ministerial post.
Rarely used kanji form.
The kanji 椅 means 'chair' and 子 is a common noun suffix. The word is a straightforward compound. The reading いす is a native Japanese word, not derived from Chinese. The historical derivation of いす is uncertain.