presence

American  

[prez-uhns] / ˈprɛz əns /

noun

1. the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.

   Antonyms:

   absence

2. attendance or company.

   Your presence is requested.

3. immediate vicinity; proximity.

   in the presence of witnesses.

   Synonyms:

   neighborhood

4. the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc..

   the American military presence in Europe;

   the Japanese presence in the U.S. consumer market.

5. Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great personage giving audience or reception.

   summoned to her presence.

6. the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance, especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience.

   The speaker had a good deal of stage presence.

   Synonyms:

   mien, carriage

7. personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind.

   a man of fine presence.

8. a person, especially of noteworthy appearance or compelling personality.

   He is a real presence, even at a private party.

9. a divine or supernatural spirit felt to be present.

   He felt a presence with him in the room.

10. British Obsolete. presence chamber.

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presence British  

/ ˈprɛzəns /

noun

1. the state or fact of being present

2. the immediate proximity of a person or thing

3. personal appearance or bearing, esp of a dignified nature

4. an imposing or dignified personality

5. an invisible spirit felt to be nearby

6. electronics a recording control that boosts mid-range frequencies

7. (of a recording) a quality that gives the impression that the listener is in the presence of the original source of the sound

8. obsolete assembly or company

9. obsolete short for presence chamber

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Other Word Forms

• nonpresence noun

Etymology

Origin of presence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin praesentia; present ¹, -ence

Example Sentences

The observers have been following ICE officers, filming them in some cases and and alerting residents of their presence.

From BBC

The Prince was there for the opening of his privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, and it's understood that court security officials were alerted to the woman's presence.

From BBC

“But anyone making the presence of pedestrians more obvious makes it safer,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her presence is critical to their success, but the bones of a great movie still exist at both of their cores.

From Salon

He hopes Mixue’s presence in the U.S. might raise the profile of boba here and encourage more people to “expand their palette” and try local shops.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behavior
• personality