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.
With no presumptive nominee or clear party leader after the 2024 presidential election loss, the Democratic field remains widely contested—a scenario that could reshape the party’s electoral strategy, policy direction and prospects for challenging Republican front-runners in upcoming races. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025 And that is why, in 2024, for the first time in decades of presidential elections, the Post published no endorsement. Jimmy Wales, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025 Such a change could open up the pathway for the Supreme Court to hear the case, which could be friendlier territory for the president, as the court has ruled largely in his favor on presidential immunity. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2025 Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton, becoming the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 28 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2025.

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