present

noun (1)

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pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Definition of present

(Entry 1 of 4)

: something presented : gift

present

verb

pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent

presented; presenting; presents

Definition of present (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to make a gift to

2 : to give or bestow formally

3a : to bring (something, such as a play) before the public

b(1) : to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status

(2) : to introduce socially

4a : to offer to view : show

b : to bring to one's attention This presents a problem.

5a : to lay (something, such as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry

b : to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against

6 : to nominate to a benefice

7 : to aim, point, or direct (something, such as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction

8 : to act the part of : perform

intransitive verb

1 : to make a presentation

2 : to become manifest

3 : to come forward as a patient

4 : to present a weapon

present

adjective

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Definition of present (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : now existing or in progress

2a : being in view or at hand

b : existing in something mentioned or under consideration

3 : constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered

4 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking

5 archaic : instant, immediate

6 obsolete : attentive

present

noun (2)

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Definition of present (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : the present time

2a : the present tense of a language

b : a verb form in the present tense

3a presents plural : the present words or statements specifically : the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used

b obsolete : present occasion or affair

at present

: at or during this time : now

Other Words from present Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about present

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Synonyms for present

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for present

Verb

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means. give alms gave her a ride on a pony give my love to your mother present carries a note of formality and ceremony. present an award donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). donate a piano to the orphanage bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver. bestow unwanted advice confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor). confer an honorary degree afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver. the trees afford shade a development that affords us some hope

Examples of present in a Sentence

Verb He presented the queen with a diamond necklace. He was presented with a medal at the ceremony. She presented a check for $5,000 to the charity. The scientist presented his results to the committee. She will be presenting a paper on methods for teaching ESL at the conference. What time will you be presenting? An offer was presented for our consideration. The Main Street Theater Company is presenting Shakespeare's Othello next month. The museum is presenting an exhibition of paintings by Monet. Adjective The game has existed in its present form for more than 300 years. I am very busy at the present moment.

First Known Use of present

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3b(1)

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

History and Etymology for present

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesent-, praesens, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be — more at is

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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for present

present

verb

English Language Learners Definition of present

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to give something to someone in a formal way or in a ceremony

: to formally talk about (something you have written, studied, etc.) to a group of people

: to make (something) available to be used or considered

present

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of present (Entry 2 of 2)

: not past or future : existing or happening now

—used to say what someone or something is now

: at the particular place or event that is being referred to

See the full definition for present in the English Language Learners Dictionary

present

noun

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Kids Definition of present

(Entry 1 of 4)

: something given : gift a birthday present

present

verb

pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent

presented; presenting

Kids Definition of present (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : to give with ceremony Officials presented the award.

2 : to make a gift to He presented me with a ring.

3 : to bring before the public present a play

4 : to introduce one person to another I'd like to present my sister.

5 : to appear in a particular place Come out—present yourself!

6 : to offer to view : show, display You must present identification.

7 : to come into or cause to come into being An opportunity presented itself.

present

adjective

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Kids Definition of present (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : not past or future : now going on What is your present position?

2 : being at a certain place and not elsewhere All students are present.

3 : pointing out or relating to time that is not past or future

present

noun

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt

Kids Definition of present (Entry 4 of 4)

: the time right now

present

transitive verb

pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent

Medical Definition of present

: to show or manifest patients who present symptoms of malaria

intransitive verb

1a : to become manifest Lyme disease often presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills

b : to come forward as a patient he presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veins— T. E. Greene

2 : to become directed toward the opening of the uterus —used of a fetus or a part of a fetus babies which present by breech — Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology

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present

transitive verb

pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent

Legal Definition of present

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to lay before a court as an object of consideration present a complaint presented a defense of insanity

2 : to make a presentment of (an instrument)

Other Words from present

presentation \ ˌprē-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən, ˌpre-, -zən-

\ noun

presenter noun

present

adjective

pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zənt

Legal Definition of present (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : now existing a present undivided interest in the property a present ability to pay

2 : constituting the one actually involved or being considered the present case

3 : being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhere no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present — U.S. Constitution art. I

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