presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈpre-zᵊn(t)s 
1
: the fact or condition of being present (see present entry 3)
2
a
: the part of space within one's immediate vicinity
b
: the neighborhood of one of superior especially royal rank
3
archaic
: company sense 2a
4
: one that is present: such as
a
: the actual person or thing that is present
b
: something present of a visible or concrete nature
5
6
: something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present
Examples of presence in a Sentence
Bacteria sense their neighbors and respond to the presence of others in the colony by exchanging small molecules and bits of proteins called peptides …
—
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wild fish are distinguished from hatchery fish by the presence of an adipose fin, which hatchery fish lack.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
The presence or absence of pier protections does not provide a clear indication of whether a bridge can withstand a vessel strike.
—Júlia Ledur, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Jared is the first to catch on to the presence of mystical beings in the home and the surrounding area.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
Any remaining law enforcement presence is there to provide traffic direction, police said.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
The superstar’s presence quantifiably gave the Chiefs a major boost in exposure, which some critics speculated was becoming too distracting when the team went through a rough patch mid-season, but Patrick told Time that his team paid it no mind.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Other factors at play include more expensive medications and technologically advanced diagnostic tests, along with increasing corporate consolidation and the growing presence in the industry of private equity firms.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The most interesting bit here is the relationship between Tamara and Rafaela, if only because Amber Iman is such an intriguing presence.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
April 1, 2024 On the West Coast, another complicating factor is the presence of tall mountains.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
The presence or absence of pier protections does not provide a clear indication of whether a bridge can withstand a vessel strike.
—Júlia Ledur, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Jared is the first to catch on to the presence of mystical beings in the home and the surrounding area.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
Any remaining law enforcement presence is there to provide traffic direction, police said.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
The superstar’s presence quantifiably gave the Chiefs a major boost in exposure, which some critics speculated was becoming too distracting when the team went through a rough patch mid-season, but Patrick told Time that his team paid it no mind.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Other factors at play include more expensive medications and technologically advanced diagnostic tests, along with increasing corporate consolidation and the growing presence in the industry of private equity firms.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The most interesting bit here is the relationship between Tamara and Rafaela, if only because Amber Iman is such an intriguing presence.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
April 1, 2024 On the West Coast, another complicating factor is the presence of tall mountains.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near presence
Cite this Entry
“Presence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presence. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈprez-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the fact or state of being present
no one noticed the stranger's presence
2
: position close to a person
in the presence of a guest
3
: a person's appearance
a stately presence
4
: something felt or believed to be present
a ghostly presence
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