president

American  

[prez-i-duhnt] / ˈprɛz ɪ dənt /

noun

1. the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States.

   sworn in as the 56th president of Mexico.

2. an officer appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of persons.

3. the chief officer of a college, university, society, corporation, etc.

4. a person who presides.

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president British  

/ ˈprɛzɪdənt, ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl /

noun

1. (often capital) the chief executive or head of state of a republic, esp of the US

2. (in the US) the chief executive officer of a company, corporation, etc

3. a person who presides over an assembly, meeting, etc

4. the chief executive officer of certain establishments of higher education

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Other Word Forms

• presidential adjective
• presidentially adverb
• presidentship noun

Etymology

Origin of president

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin praesident- (stem of praesidēns ), noun use of present participle of praesidēre “to preside over, sit in front of”; preside, -ent

Explanation

The president is the person officially in charge — whether it’s of a republic, a company, a college, or a fan club. This is a word for a leader, like the President of the United States or the president of the National Football League Players' Union. Many organizations have presidents, and they're usually elected by members of that group. When it’s followed by a name, the title president gets a capital p, as in President Obama. Whether with a P or p, the job of a president is to preside in a formal or official capacity.

Example Sentences

He will be succeeded by Andy Caine, Nike vice president and creative director for sportswear, effective Sunday, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Some of the criticism may be filtering up to the president, who has grumbled that Iran is still throttling most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

With those words, the Epstein crisis that had plagued the president was once again front and centre thanks to his wife.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

That’s roughly nine hours a week — the equivalent of an undergraduate course load, said Zehra Abid-Wood, president of Lasell Village and a vice president at the university.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

In case Washington had already been hit, the soldiers would don radiation suits, smash down the bunker door, and wrap the president in protective clothing before heading out.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin