presidency

noun

pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈpre-zə-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce presidency (audio)
ˈprez-dən(t)-
also ˈpre-zə-ˌden(t)-sē
plural presidencies
Synonyms of presidencynext
1
a
: the office of president
b(1)
: the office of president of the U.S.
(2)
: the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policymaking agencies
2
: the term during which a president holds office
3
: the action or function of one that presides : superintendence
4
: a Latter-day Saint executive council of the church or a stake consisting of a president and two counselors

Examples of presidency in a Sentence

responsibility for the presidency of a major television network
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His aides began to consider the possibility that his was going to be a crippled presidency. — Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 But getting ready for the next administration requires drawing the right lessons from his errant presidency. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was prepared to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support to defend its security, stability, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 And, of course, anyone who remembers the optimistic hordes streaming up Michigan Avenue after Barack Obama made his victory speech for president of the United States in Grant Park well knows the local benefits of a Chicagoan assuming the presidency. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presidency

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of presidency was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Presidency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presidency. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

presidency

noun
pres·​i·​den·​cy ˈprez-əd-ən-sē How to pronounce presidency (audio)
ˈprez-dən-;
ˈprez-ə-ˌden(t)-sē
plural presidencies
1
: the office of president
2
: the term during which a president holds office

Legal Definition

plural presidencies
1
a
: the office of president
b
: the office of president of the U.S.
also : the American governmental institution comprising the office of president and various associated administrative and policy-making agencies
2
: the term during which a president holds office
3
: the action or function of one that presides
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