presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairperson
3
: to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer
—usually used with at
presided at the organ
presider
noun
Examples of preside in a Sentence
Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, Kendall, current county treasurer, Cayer, who is running for collector, Brouk, a candidate for presiding commissioner, and Robinson, the current county auditor, had already withdrawn their names from the election prior to that vote.
—
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Judge Thomas Lyons, presiding judge of the Law Division, granted a motion from the city of Chicago to split the trial in two, severing the claims of negligent hiring by the city from the allegations around the shooting by Officer Eric Stillman.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
In one, a judge is seeking reelection even though he has been removed from hearing cases because of what a presiding judge deemed deteriorating mental and physical health.
—Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The presiding judge said Uzbek authorities had indicated that Karimova, 53, would not be released until after her full sentence is completed in December 2028 on convictions in Uzbekistan including embezzlement.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
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Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Judge Thomas Lyons, presiding judge of the Law Division, granted a motion from the city of Chicago to split the trial in two, severing the claims of negligent hiring by the city from the allegations around the shooting by Officer Eric Stillman.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
In one, a judge is seeking reelection even though he has been removed from hearing cases because of what a presiding judge deemed deteriorating mental and physical health.
—Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The presiding judge said Uzbek authorities had indicated that Karimova, 53, would not be released until after her full sentence is completed in December 2028 on convictions in Uzbekistan including embezzlement.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preside
verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd 
presided; presiding
1
: to be in the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
preside over a meeting
2
: to be in charge
Legal Definition
preside
intransitive verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd
presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
: to occupy the place of authority : direct or regulate proceedings as chief officer
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