presidential

adjective

pres·​i·​den·​tial ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce presidential (audio)
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 adverb
a presidentially appointed judge

Examples of presidential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The trend became so ubiquitous that the Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Kamala Harris was declared brat by Charli herself. Marina Watts, People.com, 21 May 2025 Younger voters typically lean toward Democratic presidential candidates, though Vice President Kamala Harris’ numbers with the demographic were below the 60% average support for Democratic presidential candidates since 2008, according to a NPR analysis. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Much more famous were the lawyers on both sides of the case: William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate and former secretary of state, arguing for the prosecution; and, from the defense team, Clarence Darrow, often described as one of the great legal minds of his time. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025 This could have political ramifications for Harris, who has been floated as a potential California gubernatorial or 2028 presidential candidate. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for presidential

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of presidential was in 1582

Cite this Entry

“Presidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presidential. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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