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

Washington — The Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates without political interference — a cornerstone of US economic policy — is at stake this week in a pivotal Supreme Court case on presidential power. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Cooper then quoted Obama's previous statement regarding a potential presidential run. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

The ageing aircraft has been been serving as the presidential transport since 1990, and Boeing has been working on a replacement VC-25B, based on the newer 747-8 Intercontinental. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The college said Harris was consistently recognized on the presidential honor roll and the dean’s list. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 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