presidential
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of presidential
From the Medieval Latin word praesidentiālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See presidency, -al 1
Explanation
Anything presidential has something to do with a president, or with the office of the presidency. A line of black cars with flashing lights driving down a Washington, DC street is probably the presidential motorcade. In the US, the presidential residence is the White House, and the presidential term is four years. A presidential election can seem like it lasts even longer. You can also use this adjective for things that are typical or appropriate for a president. A presidential wave, whether the president gives it or not, is commanding and confident. And it's well known that candidates who don't look presidential aren't often elected, even if they're more than capable of running the country.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In majority black South Carolina counties, Democratic Senate candidate Andrews significantly outperformed Kamala Harris's presidential numbers in 2024.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Glover said the number of volunteers more than doubled compared with the 2024 presidential election won by Trump.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
At one point they had a section that featured Sohm’s photographs of presidential candidates over the decades — but “it took you out,” Boyer says, “and we didn’t want to do that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
Weigel notes that the 2026 midterms have cost more than the 2024 presidential cycle—highly unusual.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
The presidential household in Philadelphia worked on a strict schedule—just like Washington’s Virginia home.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
