present

1 of 4

noun (1)

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
: something presented : gift

present

2 of 4

verb

pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
presented; presenting; presents

transitive verb

1
: to make a gift to
2
: to give or bestow formally
3
a
: 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
4
a
: to offer to view : show
b
: to bring to one's attention
This presents a problem.
5
a
: 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

3 of 4

adjective

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: now existing or in progress
2
a
: 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
presentness noun

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: the present time
2
a
: the present tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the present tense
3
a
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
Phrases
at present
: at or during this time : now
Choose the Right Synonym for present

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
If the ice is partially melted or there is any liquid present, the container must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule, the TSA says. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023 The company has more than 60 film and television projects in development at present with more to come now that Landsman and Fried are on board. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023 Simple Design Fixes There is, perhaps, an abundance of caution at present. WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023 Because this sort of employment is inconsistent, the worker’s life can feel episodic and fragmentary: The human need for resolution is scrambled and replaced with a constantly precarious present. Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023 Although the resolution was approved 412 to 10, with six members voting present, none of The Squad voted for it. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023 Hurry to shop the gift guide below so all your presents will arrive on time. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2023 New Blue Sun is a surprise album in more ways than one: In place of beats, bars, and singing, the 87-minute record presents André the flautist. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 14 Nov. 2023 Warwick’s presents Matt Coyle When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla Admission: Free Online: warwicks.com Combs is a freelance writer. Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2023
Verb
Jack Black served as emcee, while actor and pro skater Evan Mock received the Emerging Leader award, and original Bones Brigade teammate Rodney Mullen presented Hawk with the evening’s top honor. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2023 Charles presented Blackpink with their medals at a ceremony attended by South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, and first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who are currently on a state visit to London. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 22 Nov. 2023 Smith said the case has a long way to go before it can be presented to prosecutors. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023 Later that year, Dr. Henry traveled to New York City to present the findings at a U.N. global climate solutions summit. Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023 Turn up the volume on the nearly four hours of music presented here. Katie Bain, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2023 Such was one of the more hopeful conclusions of filmmakers, scientists, philosophers and legal experts who took on the subject of AI and its impact on cinematography, presenting their findings at Camerimage this year. Will Tizard, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023 Meanwhile, aging power infrastructure across California has presented a significant risk for igniting such fires. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Bazelon: Despite the violence that fall, the U.S. team worked on what became the Clinton parameters, presented to the parties in late December 2000. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
Adjective
However, with just Wright and Vice Chair Karen Buchanan present, the meeting was called off because the board did not have a quorum of three members. Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 22 Nov. 2023 The small numbers of these cells, present only in certain regions, may explain why earlier research missed them. Simon Makin, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2023 The flavanol, called quercetin, is naturally present in grapes and other fruits and vegetables and is considered a healthy antioxidant. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2023 Atlanta Police and Fire Rescue were present at 271 17th street, which also has law offices. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 18 Nov. 2023 Nothing Chats, in its present state, is an otherwise barebones messaging client. WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023 High-level political figures, including Obama’s former National Security Advisor Susan Rice and current White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, were also present. Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Nov. 2023 What resulted was a lengthy feature on the brand’s past, present and possible future. Kate Dries, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023 Danny is not present when Season Four begins, and the few references to him are both vague and ominous, as if everyone (again, both onscreen and off) would really prefer to never discuss him again. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'present.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of present was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near present

Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

present

1 of 4 noun
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
: something presented

present

2 of 4 verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
1
a
: to introduce one person to another
b
: to bring before the public
present a play
2
: to make a gift to
presented me with a watch
3
: to give or hand over with ceremony
present a medal
4
: to make an accusation against someone
present a charge
5
: to offer to view : display, show
presents a fine appearance
presenter noun

present

3 of 4 adjective
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: being or going on now : not past or future
the present situation
2
: being before or near a person or in sight : being at a certain place and not elsewhere
all the pupils were present
was present at the ceremony
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb tense that expresses present time or the time of speaking

present

4 of 4 noun
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
b
: a verb form in the present tense
2
: the present time

Medical Definition

present

transitive verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
: to show or manifest
patients who present symptoms of malaria

intransitive verb

1
a
: 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 veinsT. 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 breechYear Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Legal Definition

present

1 of 2 transitive verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
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)
presenter noun

present

2 of 2 adjective
pres·​ent ˈpre-zənt How to pronounce present (audio)
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 presentU.S. Constitution art. I

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