president
Americannoun
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the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States.
sworn in as the 56th president of Mexico.
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an officer appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of persons.
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the chief officer of a college, university, society, corporation, etc.
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a person who presides.
noun
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(often capital) the chief executive or head of state of a republic, esp of the US
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(in the US) the chief executive officer of a company, corporation, etc
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a person who presides over an assembly, meeting, etc
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the chief executive officer of certain establishments of higher education
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of president
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin praesident- (stem of praesidēns ), noun use of present participle of praesidēre “to preside over, sit in front of”; see preside, -ent
Explanation
The president is the person officially in charge — whether it’s of a republic, a company, a college, or a fan club. This is a word for a leader, like the President of the United States or the president of the National Football League Players' Union. Many organizations have presidents, and they're usually elected by members of that group. When it’s followed by a name, the title president gets a capital p, as in President Obama. Whether with a P or p, the job of a president is to preside in a formal or official capacity.
Vocabulary lists containing president
Mexico - Introductory
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Mexico - Middle School
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Mexico - High School
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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.
Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, a progressive think tank, said President Trump appears to be on a warpath.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
They are the first to arrive in DR Congo under a controversial agreement with third countries signed by US President Donald Trump's administration.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
“Sentiment among companies in Germany has recovered slightly following the slump in March and April,” Ifo President Clemens Fuest said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
President Trump will host Kevin Warsh’s swearing-in as Federal Reserve Chair, a rare White House event not seen in almost 40 years.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
This is probably the biggest thing to happen around here since the Civil War ended and President Lincoln was tragically killed.
From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman
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.
