preside

American  

[pri-zahyd] / prɪˈzaɪd /

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.

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preside British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• presider noun
• unpresiding adjective

Etymology

Origin of preside

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

Example Sentences

The theme for the opening ceremonies was armonia, or harmony, and many credit Kirsty Coventry, the International Olympic Committee president who is presiding over her first Games, with helping create the change in tone.

From Los Angeles Times

True to tradition, the evening was both a celebration of achievements in directing and an occasion for much pro-guild testifying — from nominees, winners and Christopher Nolan, presiding over his first ceremony as DGA president.

From Los Angeles Times

The school is divided into different groups, with leaders at each level and a senior leader who presides over the whole school.

From The Wall Street Journal

But she also presided over an autocratic government that crushed dissent, and now faces court cases alleging the looting of national wealth.

From Barron's

All the lawsuits filed by the firm, which represents roughly a quarter of the plaintiffs in the $4-billion settlement, are now under review by Daniel Buckley, a former presiding judge of the county’s Superior Court.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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