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

Silva, a national figure in Brazil who finished third in the 2014 presidential election, has turned her ministry into a central node in the effort. —Justin Worland, Time, 9 May 2025

Voting data cited by both outlets suggests the Chicago native voted in both parties' primaries at different times—including presidential election years. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 5 things that led to ‘Dewey Defeats Truman,’ the newspaper’s most famous headline The Chicago Tribune covered its first presidential election in 1848. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

Souter also was among the four justices who dissented from the 2000 decision in Bush v. Gore and said the Supreme Court should not have stopped Florida's recount in the presidential contest. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 May 2025

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