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

Without explaining his decision to replace Denys Shmygal, the Ukrainian leader said he had proposed the incumbent "head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability".

From Barron's

Unfamiliar districts can drive incumbents to early retirement by severing their connection with well-established constituencies.

From Salon

The incumbent has warned that those gains are fragile.

From Barron's

Yet in both, the incumbents are strong favourites, with observers predicting they will clinch victory outright in the first round with more than 50% of the vote.

From BBC

State newspaper editorials and former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, the Democratic incumbent at the time, argued that the found ballots were suspicious and likely fraudulent.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• occupant