presidential

adjective

pres·​i·​den·​tial ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

1

a

: of, relating to, or befitting a president or a president's authority

presidential duties/responsibilities

a presidential pardon

a presidential manner/bearing

the presidential library

b

: of or relating to the election of a president

the presidential campaign

a presidential convention

c

: performing functions delegated by or under the authority of a president

a presidential committee

a presidential agent

2

: of, based upon, or having the characteristics of presidential government

a presidential system

a presidential republic

presidentially

ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

adverb

a presidentially appointed judge

Examples of presidential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peru is set to hold presidential elections April 12, in which more than two dozen candidates will participate. —Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026

The second-highest vote getter in that race so far was Litcy Kurisinkal, a former Local School Council chair and human rights advocate who campaigned for then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential run. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Two Democratic senators and likely presidential contenders have unveiled plans to cut taxes, a shift in strategy for the party heading into the midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential presidential contender in 2028, backs the bill. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presidential

• pre-presidential
• presidential government
• presidential/royal pardon

Rhymes for presidential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• providential
• referential