presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈpre-zə-dən(t)-sē 

ˈprez-dən(t)-

also ˈpre-zə-ˌden(t)-sē

plural presidencies

1

a

: the office of president

b(1)

: the office of president of the U.S.

(2)

: the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policymaking agencies

2

: the term during which a president holds office

3

: the action or function of one that presides : superintendence

4

: a Latter-day Saint executive council of the church or a stake consisting of a president and two counselors

Synonyms of presidency

• administration
• management
• operation
• government
• supervision
• handling
• control
• stewardship
• direction
• governance
• oversight

Examples of presidency in a Sentence

responsibility for the presidency of a major television network

Recent Examples on the Web

Congratulations to the families of James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson, and Millard Fillmore, whose presidencies have all received one-notch upgrades. —Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025

Exhibits trace distinctly American themes such as democracy, transportation, food culture, and the presidency. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

Republicans had arguably even greater success in midterm elections during Barack Obama’s presidency. —Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025

Abetted by a Democratic spending spree as the nation emerged from the pandemic, Biden presided over the worst inflation in four decades, with prices rising consistently from the start of his presidency until inflation reached 9% in June 2022. —Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presidency

• vice presidency

Rhymes for presidency

• residency

Kids Definition

presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈprez-əd-ən-sē 

ˈprez-dən-;

ˈprez-ə-ˌden(t)-sē

plural presidencies

1

: the office of president

2

: the term during which a president holds office

Legal Definition

presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈpre-zə-dən-sē, -ˌden- 

plural presidencies

1

a

: the office of president

b

: the office of president of the U.S.

also : the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policy-making agencies

2

: the term during which a president holds office

3

: the action or function of one that presides