incumbent

American  

[in-kuhm-buhnt] / ɪnˈkʌm bənt /

adjective

1. holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently.

   the incumbent officers of the club.

2. obligatory (often followed by on orupon ).

   a duty incumbent upon me.

3. Archaic. resting, lying, leaning, or pressing on something.

   incumbent upon the cool grass.

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noun

1. the holder of an office.

   The incumbent was challenged by a fusion candidate.

2. British. a person who holds an ecclesiastical benefice.

incumbent British  

/ ɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. formal morally binding or necessary; obligatory

   it is incumbent on me to attend

2. resting or lying (on)

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noun

1. a person who holds an office, esp a clergyman holding a benefice

incumbent Cultural  

1. One who holds a public office. By virtue of their experience in office, their exposure to the public, and their ability to raise campaign funds, incumbents usually have a significant advantage over opponents if they choose to run for reelection.

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Other Word Forms

• anti-incumbent adjective
• incumbently adverb
• nonincumbent noun

Etymology

Origin of incumbent

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (noun), from Latin incumbent-, stem of incumbēns “lying upon,” present participle of incumbere “to lie or lean upon,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -cumbere (variant combining form of cubāre “to lie down”; cubicle )

Example Sentences

AI “disrupts the certainty” of cash returns for incumbent tech companies and adds more volatility to earnings, note strategists at 22V Research.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Lurie campaigned as a City Hall outsider, and much of the establishment contributed to his opponent, incumbent mayor London Breed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Times/Berkeley IGS poll on L.A. mayor’s race shows incumbent Karen Bass in the lead.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Facing a popular Labor incumbent and a young, recently selected opposition leader, One Nation campaigned widely, recruiting prominent former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi to lead its ticket, and running candidates in every electorate.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

It was incumbent, thereafter, on each and every child to live up to that legacy.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• occupant