preside

verb

pre·side | \ pri-ˈzīd

presided; presiding

Definition of preside

intransitive verb

1 : to exercise guidance, direction, or control

2a : to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairman, or moderator

b : to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairman

3 : to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer —usually used with at presided at the organ

Other Words from preside Example Sentences Learn More about preside

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Examples of preside in a Sentence

Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like the choices of Spain’s Josep Borrell for the foreign-affairs job and Belgium’s Charles Michel to preside over the council, Mrs von der Leyen and Ms Lagarde are solid, experienced administrators and established public figures. — The Economist, "The tasks facing Europe’s top team," 4 July 2019 The last president to preside over an Independence Day themed event was Ronald Reagan in 1987 who spoke on July 3 at the Jefferson Memorial to announce an economic bill of rights. — Jason Lalljee, USA TODAY, "'Show the world who we are': Trump's 4th of July military show has visitors pumped, but critics slam it as an ego trip," 2 July 2019 Both sides demand not only to win but also to preside over the other side’s defeat. — K. V. Turley, National Review, "Border Posts and Border Ghosts," 1 July 2019 The appeal also challenges O'Neill's decisions to air Cosby's prior deposition testimony about Quaalude use and to preside despite an alleged feud with a pretrial witness. — NBC News, "Bill Cosby files appeal over testimony from other women accusers," 25 June 2019 Judge Jay York, who ordinarily hears cases in the circuit court, has been appointed to preside over the case as a special district court judge. — Christopher Harress | Charress@al.com, al.com, "No bond for Mobile man accused of killing unborn baby in capital murder case," 21 June 2019 The panel’s decision can be read as a harsh criticism of the air of secrecy that Polster has encouraged and outright ordered since he was appointed to preside over the opioid litigation in late 2017. — Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Appeals court blasts Cleveland judge’s secrecy in opioid litigation, decision to block public release of DEA painkiller data," 20 June 2019 The three-judge panel presiding over the July 15 trial scheduled a hearing next week to decide whether materials from Hofeller or his daughter can be used. — Gary D. Robertson, BostonGlobe.com, "NC redistricting fight turns to state courts after ruling," 29 June 2019 The three-judge panel presiding over the July 15 trial scheduled a hearing next week to decide whether materials from Hofeller or his daughter can be used. — Washington Post, "NC redistricting fight turns to state courts after ruling," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preside.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.