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

Biden's win in that county in 2020 helped propel his win in Georgia as a whole, which had 16 presidential electoral votes. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, reported on Wednesday that both a presidential vote, in which Zelenskyy would seek re-election, and a nationwide referendum could be held by May 15. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026

The War Powers Resolution only allows for unilateral presidential action in response to an imminent threat facing American citizens or servicemembers. —Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026

Gallup has been publishing its presidential approval tracking numbers for 88 years, and the numbers have long been among the most closely watched by political pundits. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 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