preside

[pri-zahyd]

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verb (used without object), pre·sid·ed, pre·sid·ing.

to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.

to exercise management or control (usually followed by over): The lawyer presided over the estate.

Origin of preside

1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit¹

Related formspre·sid·er, nounun·pre·sid·ing, adjective

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

Related Words for presider

spokesman, administrator, chairperson, director, leader, chairwoman, monitor, moderator, speaker, president, chair, captain, principal, toastmaster, spokesperson, symposiarch, introducer, prolocutor

Examples from the Web for presider

Historical Examples of presider

Mars was the presider over gladiators, and was the god of all exercises, which have in them a manly or spirited character.
Heathen Mythology
Various

British Dictionary definitions for presider

preside

verb (intr)

to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting

to exercise authority; control

to occupy a position as an instrumentalisthe presided at the organ

Derived Formspresider, noun

Word Origin for preside

C17: via French from Latin praesidēre to superintend, from prae before + sedēre to sit

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 presider

preside

1610s, from French présider "preside over, govern" (15c.), from Latin praesidere "stand guard; superintend," literally "sit in front of," from prae "before" (see pre-) + sedere "to sit" (see sedentary).