incumbent

[in-kuhm-buhnt]

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.

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

/ ɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. formal,  morally binding or necessary; obligatory

   it is incumbent on me to attend

2. resting or lying (on)

noun

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

incumbent

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.

Other Word Forms

• incumbently adverb
• anti-incumbent adjective
• nonincumbent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incumbent¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of incumbent¹

C16: from Latin incumbere to lie upon, devote one's attention to, from _in- ² + -cumbere, related to Latin cubāre to lie down

Example Sentences

She might also be worried about the toll it could take on her political prospects as an incumbent on the ballot when voters turn angry.

From BBC

He’s the leading candidate facing off against two-term incumbent mayor Jacob Frey, who has the backing of the Democratic establishment and its donors.

From Salon

Vermont’s small congressional delegation is already left of center, and voters tend to like their own representatives, even when they dislike Congress as a whole, giving incumbents a significant advantage.

From Salon

Republicans may talk tough about slashing government, but as the incumbent party they could have the most to lose if the public mood dramatically sours.

From BBC

But starting with Ronald Reagan, the White House incumbent has shown up at the curved edifice on First Avenue to bloviate, shutting down Manhattan traffic for a full day, almost every September.

From Salon

Related Words

• occupant