preside

verb

pre·​side pri-ˈzīd 

presided; presiding

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms of preside

• rule
• govern

Examples of preside in a Sentence

Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the presiding judge admonished DHS and called Jaime’s continued detention a poor use of taxpayer money. —Michelle Brané, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Toscan du Plantier has also orchestrated a generational shift in the Marrakech jury — a wish that HRH Prince Moulay Rachid (who presides the festival) had. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025

Labuda was the presiding judge in several of Wornick’s ongoing criminal cases. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025

Sombart took capitalism as not merely a mode of production but a presiding spiritual temper. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preside

• preside over

Rhymes for preside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids 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