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

House Democrats allege that NASA authorities last year may have violated that constitutional framework in attempting to enact the presidential budget request, or PBR. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, the board passed a series of contentious election rule changes. —Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Peru is holding a presidential runoff on June 7 even as votes are still being counted and officials are sifting through tally sheets arriving from remote areas and Peruvian consulates abroad following the first round on April 12. —Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

When Nixon left office, Congress passed a law putting Nixon's presidential papers in the custody of the National Archives. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 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