presidential
AmericanOther Word Forms
- nonpresidential adjective
- postpresidential adjective
- prepresidential adjective
- presidentially adverb
- unpresidential adjective
- unpresidentially adverb
Etymology
Origin of presidential
From the Medieval Latin word praesidentiālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See presidency, -al 1
Explanation
Anything presidential has something to do with a president, or with the office of the presidency. A line of black cars with flashing lights driving down a Washington, DC street is probably the presidential motorcade. In the US, the presidential residence is the White House, and the presidential term is four years. A presidential election can seem like it lasts even longer. You can also use this adjective for things that are typical or appropriate for a president. A presidential wave, whether the president gives it or not, is commanding and confident. And it's well known that candidates who don't look presidential aren't often elected, even if they're more than capable of running the country.
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.
“Xi is looking beyond Lai, to Taiwan’s 2028 presidential election,” said Sacks.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is considering a presidential run, was not on the convention schedule.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
According to a French presidential source, during their conversation Macron invited Leo to France, a visit that could possibly take place in September.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Its candidate has also been disqualified from the presidential race on the grounds that he did not have enough sponsors to back his candidacy.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Garfield had intended Secretary of State Blaine to deal with any other pressing government problems that summer during his planned presidential vacation.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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.
