preside

1 of 2

verb

pre·​side pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio)
presided; presiding

intransitive verb

1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairperson
3
: to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer
—usually used with at
presided at the organ
presider noun

presider

2 of 2

noun

pre·​sid·​er
prēˈzīdə(r), 
prə̇ˈ-
plural -s
: one that presides

Synonyms of preside

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Verb

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Examples of preside in a Sentence

Verb Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Leo presided alone over the liturgy, distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 Leo presided alone over the liturgy and distributed Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo presided alone over the liturgy, distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The appointment of Tagle, who stood in for Leo to preside at Wednesday’s mass at the Vatican, has acquired a new significance with the pope in the hospital. — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preside

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin praesidēre to guard, preside over, from prae- + sedēre to sit — more at sit

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preside was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing preside

Rhymes for preside

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Browse Nearby Words

preshrink
preside
presidence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

preside

verb
pre·​side pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio)
presided; presiding
1
: to be in the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
preside over a meeting
2
: to be in charge

Legal Definition

preside

intransitive verb
pre·​side pri-ˈzīd How to pronounce preside (audio)
presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
: to occupy the place of authority : direct or regulate proceedings as chief officer
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