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

Walgren presided earlier this year over the trial related to the 2018 killing at the same building. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

When Earl Warren presided, from 1953 to 1969, the Court helped make voting fairer, establish rights for criminal defendants, and dismantle Jim Crow. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

In the House the parliamentarian sits on the top tier of the dais, near the right hand of the presiding member; in the Senate the parliamentarian is seated at the rostrum below the presiding officer’s desk. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Judges Amy Allin and Vincent Giardino presided at the trials. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

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