presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈpre-zə-dən(t)-sē 

ˈprez-dən(t)-

also ˈpre-zə-ˌden(t)-sē

plural presidencies

1

a

: the office of president

b(1)

: the office of president of the U.S.

(2)

: the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policymaking agencies

2

: the term during which a president holds office

3

: the action or function of one that presides : superintendence

4

: a Latter-day Saint executive council of the church or a stake consisting of a president and two counselors

Synonyms of presidency

• administration
• management
• operation
• government
• supervision
• handling
• control
• stewardship
• direction
• governance
• oversight

Examples of presidency in a Sentence

responsibility for the presidency of a major television network

Recent Examples on the Web

Gallego is one of many Democrats rumored to be considering a bid for the presidency in 2028. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026

That decade started with the 1973 oil embargo by Arab countries who were members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and ended with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which many attribute to helping end Jimmy Carter's presidency. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

This view of the presidency has justified his executive orders at home and tariffs that affect the global economy. —Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

Raúl Castro handed the presidency to Díaz-Canel in 2018, marking the first time since 1959 that a Castro was not formally leading the country. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presidency

• vice presidency

Rhymes for presidency

• residency

Kids Definition

presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈprez-əd-ən-sē 

ˈprez-dən-;

ˈprez-ə-ˌden(t)-sē

plural presidencies

1

: the office of president

2

: the term during which a president holds office

Legal Definition

presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈpre-zə-dən-sē, -ˌden- 

plural presidencies

1

a

: the office of president

b

: the office of president of the U.S.

also : the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policy-making agencies

2

: the term during which a president holds office

3

: the action or function of one that presides