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
During the Friday memorial service attended by Kenyan first lady Rachel Ruto, the presiding bishop questioned how much longer Kenyan children and families would continue to suffer from school fires.
—
ABC News, 12 June 2026
Since the revelations that some plaintiffs were paid to sue, the county has ramped up the vetting process for claims, appointing a former presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court to vet cases by Downtown LA Law Group, one of the main firms involved in the cases.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Keeth is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday, court records showed, which is when the prosecution will request that the presiding judge amend the charge to vehicular manslaughter.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026
The judge, who is presiding at the trial in the 296th District Court in Collin County, denied a defense request for the jury to be permitted to consider criminally negligent homicide, but jurors were instructed to consider manslaughter, a reckless killing.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
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ABC News, 12 June 2026
Since the revelations that some plaintiffs were paid to sue, the county has ramped up the vetting process for claims, appointing a former presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court to vet cases by Downtown LA Law Group, one of the main firms involved in the cases.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Keeth is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday, court records showed, which is when the prosecution will request that the presiding judge amend the charge to vehicular manslaughter.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026
The judge, who is presiding at the trial in the 296th District Court in Collin County, denied a defense request for the jury to be permitted to consider criminally negligent homicide, but jurors were instructed to consider manslaughter, a reckless killing.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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
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