preside

[pri-zahyd]

verb (used without object)

presided, presiding 

1. to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.

2. to exercise management or control (usually followed byover ).

   The lawyer presided over the estate.

preside

/ prɪˈzaɪd /

verb

1. to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting

2. to exercise authority; control

3. to occupy a position as an instrumentalist

   he presided at the organ

Other Word Forms

• presider noun
• unpresiding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

C17: via French from Latin praesidēre to superintend, from prae before + sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

The presiding judge ruled that the two could only participate once they have renewed their licences.

From BBC

Bovino presided over a series of raids in Los Angeles starting in June in which agents spent weeks pursuing Latino-looking workers outside of Home Depots, car washes, bus stops and other areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Many “Alien: Earth” viewers might claim to be shocked at her mutiny if we didn’t know how vicious 11-year-old girls can be when given the opportunity to preside over a social hive.

From Salon

Speaking in the chamber on Tuesday, Hepburn said he had already said sorry to Ross, the first minister and the presiding officer.

From BBC

But he is also the man who was sacked by Red Bull after, essentially, getting too big for his boots in the eyes of his employers, and presiding over an extraordinary 18-month period of decline.

From BBC

Related Words

• administer 
• chair 
• govern 
• officiate 
• ordain 
• oversee 
• supervise