presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairperson
3
: to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer
—usually used with at
presided at the organ
presider
noun
Examples of preside in a Sentence
Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web
The defense asked that Singh be allowed to appear virtually for the next docket call, though Mirman said another judge will preside that day and will determine whether virtual appearances are permitted.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Nearby cities like Independence, Shawnee and Olathe also have one or two judges each, but typically allow each judge to preside for four or five days a week instead of one, Maxwell-Lopez and Altieri said.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
The presiding juror told the judge that even with more time, the jury would be unable to reach a verdict.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Nov. 2025
Matthew Guichard, a defense attorney and former prosecutor who served as the presiding officer for the most recent inquest, said he was never informed of the change and didn’t learn of the amendment until a reporter showed him.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Nearby cities like Independence, Shawnee and Olathe also have one or two judges each, but typically allow each judge to preside for four or five days a week instead of one, Maxwell-Lopez and Altieri said.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
The presiding juror told the judge that even with more time, the jury would be unable to reach a verdict.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Nov. 2025
Matthew Guichard, a defense attorney and former prosecutor who served as the presiding officer for the most recent inquest, said he was never informed of the change and didn’t learn of the amendment until a reporter showed him.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preside
verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd 
presided; presiding
1
: to be in the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
preside over a meeting
2
: to be in charge
Legal Definition
preside
intransitive verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd
presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
: to occupy the place of authority : direct or regulate proceedings as chief officer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share