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

No one considering the 2028 presidential race is openly acknowledging the tension yet. —Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Courts can also create antitrust exemptions, but such decisions are rare and beyond the authority of a presidential commission. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026

No court is going to find that a presidential administration has the right to retaliate against law firms or lawyers based on their clients’ political affiliation or ideology. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

She's also covered the cartel wars along the TX-MX border, Congress in Mexico City, 3 presidential races, and 6 hurricanes. —Karen Brooks Harper austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 4 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