preside
Americanverb (used without object)
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to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.
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to exercise management or control (usually followed byover ).
The lawyer presided over the estate.
verb
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to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting
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to exercise authority; control
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to occupy a position as an instrumentalist
he presided at the organ
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of preside
1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit 1
Explanation
When you preside over something, you're acting as the leader or president. The captain of a club presides over the meetings. Whether your title is President or not, when you preside, you're acting as a president or another kind of leader. A judge presides over a courtroom. The owner of a business presides over staff meetings. If you work in an office, your boss presides over the office. Presiding can mean ruling or just supervising something. If you preside over something, you're in charge of it.
Vocabulary lists containing preside
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)
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Just Mercy
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for January 23–29, 2021
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This is how Preside Trump fights,” said Michael Caputo, a longtime adviser who worked on Trump’s first campaign.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2022
The lieutenant governor’s job is limited: Preside over the state Senate and cast tiebreaking votes, serve on various boards and fill in if the governor is incapacitated.
From Washington Post • May 22, 2017
Its chemicals may turn me green Inside, But all my Fears are Scattered to the Winds When o’er the fragrant Pot I can Preside.
From The Myrtle Reed Cook Book by Reed, Myrtle
Preside over this body in its organization and in the distribution of its offices.
From History of American Abolitionism by Fontaine, F. G. de
Science, with her fair sister Art, unite With nature, to form parterres rare and bright, Preside at buffets of refreshment pure, To make enjoyment in the whole more sure.
From Home Lyrics by Battersby, H. S. (Hannah S.)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
