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

Example Sentences

Trump, of course, didn’t run for president until eight years later.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Carpino is the Angels’ president, retiring Monday after 16 years in that role and 23 years in all as a loyal executive under Angels owner Arte Moreno.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the loss of the F-15, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "The president has been briefed."

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

It’s a trend that Jessica Lautz, the deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors, has noticed in the 2026 spring housing market, too.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

She also persuaded the American president Zachary Taylor to send out two ships with rescuers including Elisha Kent Kane, destined to become one of the world’s most famous Arctic adventurers.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler