presence of mind
noun phrase
: self-control so maintained in an emergency or in an embarrassing situation that one can say or do the right thing
Examples of presence of mind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Edwards earned kudos from emergency responders for his presence of mind and dexterity in accomplishing a water landing.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Authorities have identified the occupants of the small plane that went down in Long Island Sound over the weekend as a father and his teen daughter, with police crediting the pilot’s presence of mind for enabling their rescue.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Then, when Harley scored the goal that won the series for Dallas, the Jets had the presence of mind to go straight to Scheifele for support.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The Barca players looked at each other making two gestures: the first one asking for calm; the second, with the index finger touching the head, asking for presence of mind.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The play started in the defensive zone, with Larkin picking up a puck, resetting, then transporting it himself through the neutral zone, chipping it past the defender and just winning a physical battle — and then still having the presence of mind to find the trailer.
—Max Bultman, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Fair play to Merino for having the presence of mind to mark his sensational winner against Germany in the same way his father celebrated scoring in the same city during a UEFA Cup game 33 years earlier.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
Though unprepared, Betsy said the couple had the presence of mind to grab their prescriptions, passports and election ballots.
—Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Williams initially bobbled a deep pass in the third quarter but had enough presence of mind to tip it with his right hand to keep it in the air, spin around to locate the ball, and then catch it for a 54-yard gain.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2024
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.
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Authorities have identified the occupants of the small plane that went down in Long Island Sound over the weekend as a father and his teen daughter, with police crediting the pilot’s presence of mind for enabling their rescue.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Then, when Harley scored the goal that won the series for Dallas, the Jets had the presence of mind to go straight to Scheifele for support.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The Barca players looked at each other making two gestures: the first one asking for calm; the second, with the index finger touching the head, asking for presence of mind.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The play started in the defensive zone, with Larkin picking up a puck, resetting, then transporting it himself through the neutral zone, chipping it past the defender and just winning a physical battle — and then still having the presence of mind to find the trailer.
—Max Bultman, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Fair play to Merino for having the presence of mind to mark his sensational winner against Germany in the same way his father celebrated scoring in the same city during a UEFA Cup game 33 years earlier.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
Though unprepared, Betsy said the couple had the presence of mind to grab their prescriptions, passports and election ballots.
—Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Williams initially bobbled a deep pass in the third quarter but had enough presence of mind to tip it with his right hand to keep it in the air, spin around to locate the ball, and then catch it for a 54-yard gain.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Presence of mind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presence%20of%20mind. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share