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

The president is "steward" of the White House, Judge Richard Leon wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The president called Woods “a very close friend of mine.”

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026

“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Michael Pfaff, Ducks president and chief business officer, said in a Thursday news release announcing Bauer’s signing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Today, the newly-elected parliament will choose him to be the next president.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Reporters in the audience thought the president seemed unusually tense.

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