presented; presenting; presents
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
1
: to make a presentation
2
: to become manifest
3
: to come forward as a patient
4
: to present a weapon
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
6
obsolete
: attentive
presentness
noun
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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
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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
Phrases Containing present
Articles Related to present
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
present
1 of 4 noun
pres·ent
ˈprez-ᵊnt 
: something presented
present
2 of 4 verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
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
presenter
noun
present
3 of 4 adjective
pres·ent
ˈprez-ᵊnt
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
1
a
b
: a verb form in the present tense
2
: the present time
Medical Definition
present
transitive verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
: to show or manifest
patients who present symptoms of malaria
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 veins—T. E. Greene
T. E. Greene2
: 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
Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Legal Definition
present
1 of 2 transitive verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
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
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
U.S. Constitution art. I
More from Merriam-Webster on present
Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of present for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present
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