presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: 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
presider
noun
Examples of preside in a Sentence
Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web
O’Neall, the presiding officer of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly, was endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party.
—
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The presiding minister elected not to deliver a funeral sermon; dirt was shoveled on top of the mahogany box only three minutes after the service began.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Susie Jensen, the presiding judge, upheld the plea agreement and sentenced Law to the maximum punishment of 15 years behind bars, without the opportunity for parole.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
As Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, who made the final decision to seek the death penalty in the case, watched from the center gallery’s second row, the panel’s presiding juror read aloud the verdict form in midafternoon.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
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Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The presiding minister elected not to deliver a funeral sermon; dirt was shoveled on top of the mahogany box only three minutes after the service began.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Susie Jensen, the presiding judge, upheld the plea agreement and sentenced Law to the maximum punishment of 15 years behind bars, without the opportunity for parole.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
As Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, who made the final decision to seek the death penalty in the case, watched from the center gallery’s second row, the panel’s presiding juror read aloud the verdict form in midafternoon.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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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