presence

American  

[prez-uhns] / ˈprɛz əns /

noun

presences plural

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

Derived Forms

• nonpresence
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• presences
  plural

Etymology

Origin of presence

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

Explanation

Presence is the state of being somewhere. When you get an invitation that reads "Your presence is requested,” you are being asked to show up. Your style of being there — your demeanor or bearing — is also your presence. Usually, presence is a physical thing. Since the 1600s, the word has also meant something otherwordly, a spiritual or divine presence. If you suddenly feel a weird presence in the room, perhaps it's a ghost . . . or just the cat. Use the phrase "presence of mind" to indicate when someone is quick-witted or just paying attention. While your job washing skyscraper windows doesn't require a lot of brain work, it's a good idea to keep your presence of mind while working.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

presence presences

Research about the performance of former executives who return to the role is mixed, but their presence brings an instant sense of credibility and experience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

The results indicate that the mantle beneath the Kermadec island arc melts in the presence of water and at relatively high temperatures, above the sulfide liquidus.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

But those countries’ oil riches afford them leverage to push back on the U.S. presence, while Jordan — a resource-poor nation of some 11 million people — cannot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

The two rival leaders first met in December, when they signalled a fresh commitment to reviving the long-stalled peace process in the presence of Guterres's envoy Maria Angela Holguin.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

What explanation would she give for her presence at the Drury Lane Theater?

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

However, Mr. Starritt keeps his leads center stage and ensures that throughout their professional trials and personal ordeals they remain captivating presences and sympathetic enough to root for.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Along with goalkeeper Ben Wilson, the trio have been motivating presences in the dressing room and on the touchline, highlighting the squad strength and Lampard's people management skills.

From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026

One of the Gamecocks’ only interior presences, center Madina Okot, had three fouls early in the third quarter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2026

But smaller firms without global presences will be out of luck.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025

I could sense its presence ... or maybe two presences.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• behavior
• personality