incumbent
adjective
holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently.
incumbents
-
pluralof incumbent.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
This spells competition — and trouble — for the three incumbents, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T, and shares in all of them have traded down sharply as a consequence.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
In House races, at least 47 Republican incumbents were outraised by Democratic or independent challengers, according to Punchbowl News.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
“And, in a way, it kind of needs to be a startup because the big incumbents are not going to move as fast. They’re going to be afraid of backlash.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
However, incumbents continue to defend, and in some cases regain, market share.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
When Faye came down from Sacramento and opened her house there was a flurry of animosity from the two incumbents.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
