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preside over

phrasal verb

Definition of preside over

1 : to be in charge of something (such as a meeting or organization)
  • The vice president presided over the meeting.
  • The Chief Justice presides over the Supreme Court.
  • He has presided over the company for 15 years.
2 : to be in charge of a country, company, etc., during (a particular time or activity)
  • She presided over a period of relative peace and prosperity.

Word by Word Definitions

preside play

  1. : to exercise guidance, direction, or control

  2. : to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairman, or moderator

  3. : to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairman

See the full definition of preside
over play

  1. : across a barrier or intervening (see intervene 4) space

  2. : forward beyond an edge or brink and often down

  3. : across the brim

  1. used as a function word to indicate motion or situation in a position higher than or above another

  2. used as a function word to indicate the possession of authority, power, or jurisdiction in regard to some thing or person

  3. used as a function word to indicate superiority, advantage, or preference

  1. : upper, higher

  2. : outer, covering

  3. : excessive

  1. : to leap over

  1. : so as to exceed or surpass

  2. : excessive

  3. : to an excessive degree

See the full definition of over

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