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preside

verb
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pre·​side | \ pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio) \
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 atpresided at the organ
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Other Words from preside

presider noun

Examples of preside in a Sentence

Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web As important here as is The Brothers Karamazov, the chief presiding presence is Don Quixote. — William Deresiewicz, The Atlantic, "The Special Child," 17 May 2020 Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, who like Dr. Fauci, Dr. Redfield and Dr. Hahn is in quarantine after being exposed to the coronavirus, presided as the committee’s chairman from his home in Maryville, Tenn. — Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, "At Senate Hearing, Government Experts Paint Bleak Picture of the Pandemic," 12 May 2020 Mobutu renamed the country Zaire and presided over a dictatorship for three decades. — Fox News, "America's involvement in regime changes over the years," 8 May 2020 Before the coronavirus spread across the country, infecting more than 664,000 and killing more than 33,000, the president was presiding over record-low unemployment, strong economic growth, and positive consumer sentiment. — David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, "Democrats are liking their chances against Trump as swing state job losses mount," 17 Apr. 2020 The pre-coronavirus economy over which Trump presided was a political asset. — Matthew Continetti, National Review, "The Second Masked Ballot," 11 Apr. 2020 The Senate’s presiding officer was not, as is customary, a senator or the vice-president, but John Roberts, the Supreme Court’s chief justice. — The Economist, "Designed to acquit The strange impeachment trial of Donald Trump," 25 Jan. 2020 The season finale, airing Monday night on CBS, finds Simone Missick’s Judge Lola Carmichael presiding over a Los Angeles Superior Court bench trial via video conference. — Ryan Pearson, USA TODAY, "Legal drama 'All Rise' films season finale episode from home amid coronavirus stay-at-home order," 3 May 2020 The Redstone family controls 80% of the voting stock of the combined ViacomCBS, and Redstone now presides over ViacomCBS as its chairwoman. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, "Shareholder lawsuit blasts Shari Redstone’s ‘persistent influence’ in Viacom-CBS merger," 24 Apr. 2020

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.

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First Known Use of preside

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for preside

Latin praesidēre to guard, preside over, from prae- + sedēre to sit — more at sit

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Time Traveler for preside

Time Traveler

The first known use of preside was in 1608

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Statistics for preside

Last Updated

20 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 24 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for preside

preside

verb
How to pronounce preside (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of preside

: to be in charge of something (such as a trial)

See the full definition for preside in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preside

verb
pre·​side | \ pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio) \
presided; presiding

Kids Definition of preside

: to be in charge He presided over the meeting. She will preside over the company.

preside

intransitive verb
pre·​side | \ pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio) \
presided; presiding

Legal Definition of preside

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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More from Merriam-Webster on preside

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with preside

Spanish Central: Translation of preside

Nglish: Translation of preside for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of preside for Arabic Speakers

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