presidency

[prez-i-duh n-see]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR presidency ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pres·i·den·cies.

the office, function, or term of office of a president.

(often initial capital letter) the office of president of the United States.

Mormon Church.

a local governing body consisting of a council of three.
(often initial capital letter)the highest administrative body, composed of the prophet and his two councilors.

the former designation of any of the three original provinces of British India: Bengal, Bombay, and Madras.

Origin of presidency

From the Medieval Latin word praesidentia, dating back to 1585–95. See president, -ency

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for presidency

legislature, management, ministry, executive, cabinet, bureau, board, committee, department, presidency, regime, power, union, authority, state, rule, politics, law, upstairs, general

Examples from the Web for presidency

Contemporary Examples of presidency

I—I never felt that way about the presidency, as you—as you probably know.
Mario Cuomo, Always Moving Us Toward the Light
Mike Barnicle
January 4, 2015
Ortega has dismissed the allegations of autocracy and fraud that have afflicted his presidency as politically motivated.
China’s Nicaragua Canal Could Spark a New Central America Revolution
Nina Lakhani
November 30, 2014
In the election of 1860 in which Lincoln won the presidency, 80 percent of eligible voters went to the polls.
What Lincoln Could Teach Fox News
Scott Porch
November 6, 2014
Under Zambian electoral law Scott, 70, is barred from standing for the presidency himself.
Democratic Africa Gets Its First White Leader
Nico Hines
October 29, 2014
The term “lobbyist” supposedly was coined during the well-corrupted (and well-soaked) presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.
Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists
P. J. O’Rourke
October 25, 2014

Historical Examples of presidency

I come before you and assume the Presidency at a moment rich with promise.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
There are thousands of recognised Slaves of the gods in this Presidency.
Things as They Are
Amy Wilson-Carmichael
I will not accept the Presidency to be the mere puppet of possible factions.
Dreamers of the Ghetto
I. Zangwill
Is it to the presidency of a board of visitors of an eleemosynary institution?
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various
I wish you could realize with what joy and relief I retire from the presidency.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various

British Dictionary definitions for presidency

presidency

noun plural -cies

the office, dignity, or term of a president
(often capital)the office of president of a republic, esp the office of the President of the US

Mormon Church

a local administrative council consisting of a president and two executive members
(often capital)the supreme administrative body composed of the Prophet and two councillors

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for presidency

1590s, "office of a president," from Medieval Latin praesidentia "office of a president" (mid-13c.), from Latin praesidentem (nominative praesidens) "president, governor" (see president). Earlier in same sense was presidentship (1520s). Meaning "a president's term in office" is from 1610s.