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
Prosecutors on Bragg’s case earlier this week urged the presiding judge to schedule trial to begin in July, before the federal case makes it before a jury, arguing local authorities first investigated and charged Mangione and should get to try him first.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
All the lawsuits filed by the firm, which represents roughly a quarter of the plaintiffs in the $4-billion settlement, are now under review by Daniel Buckley, a former presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Failure to enforce sobriety within their respective chambers would subject the presiding officer to the same penalties as the violating member, according to the measure.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 29 Jan. 2026
The presiding judge administratively closed the civil case last week, saying the parties could move to reopen it at the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
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Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
All the lawsuits filed by the firm, which represents roughly a quarter of the plaintiffs in the $4-billion settlement, are now under review by Daniel Buckley, a former presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Failure to enforce sobriety within their respective chambers would subject the presiding officer to the same penalties as the violating member, according to the measure.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 29 Jan. 2026
The presiding judge administratively closed the civil case last week, saying the parties could move to reopen it at the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 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 2 Feb. 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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