presidential

adjective

pres·​i·​den·​tial ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

1

a

: of, relating to, or befitting a president or a president's authority

presidential duties/responsibilities

a presidential pardon

a presidential manner/bearing

the presidential library

b

: of or relating to the election of a president

the presidential campaign

a presidential convention

c

: performing functions delegated by or under the authority of a president

a presidential committee

a presidential agent

2

: of, based upon, or having the characteristics of presidential government

a presidential system

a presidential republic

presidentially

ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

adverb

a presidentially appointed judge

Examples of presidential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After reinstating the bicameral system for the first time in more than three decades, Peru’s Congress is defining its leadership two days before Fujimori’s July 28 presidential inauguration for the 2026-2031 term. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

Pennsylvania’s 7th District is a key battleground along with contests elsewhere in the state, reflecting significant political weight not just as a presidential swing state but as the pathway to a House majority. — Mike Catalini, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

With the next presidential election only two years away and the start of campaigns even sooner, the candidates were asked for their predictions on the Democratic nominee. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

South Carolina derailed Sanders’s momentum in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presidential

• pre-presidential
• presidential government
• presidential/royal pardon

Rhymes for presidential

• consequential
• deferential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• providential
• referential
• residential