presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈpre-zᵊn(t)s 
1
: the fact or condition of being present (see present entry 3)
2
a
: the part of space within one's immediate vicinity
b
: the neighborhood of one of superior especially royal rank
3
archaic
: company sense 2a
4
: one that is present: such as
a
: the actual person or thing that is present
b
: something present of a visible or concrete nature
5
6
: something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present
Examples of presence in a Sentence
Bacteria sense their neighbors and respond to the presence of others in the colony by exchanging small molecules and bits of proteins called peptides …
—
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Recent Examples on the Web
Soccer fans filed into the Stade de France amid a heavy police presence.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Unusual Machines continues to focus on integrating its recent acquisitions and expanding its presence in the commercial drone industry.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Clues to Another Geologic Puzzle Not only do the new findings further cement the global Snowball Earth hypothesis, but the presence of Tava injectites within weak, fractured rocks once overridden by ice sheets provides clues about other geologic phenomena.
—Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The series intends Penn to be a contrast point, to make her smooth wheeling and dealing feel artificial compared with Wyler’s more passionate righteousness, but her presence ends up emphasizing how hollow Wyler’s character actually feels.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presence 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Unusual Machines continues to focus on integrating its recent acquisitions and expanding its presence in the commercial drone industry.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Clues to Another Geologic Puzzle Not only do the new findings further cement the global Snowball Earth hypothesis, but the presence of Tava injectites within weak, fractured rocks once overridden by ice sheets provides clues about other geologic phenomena.
—Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The series intends Penn to be a contrast point, to make her smooth wheeling and dealing feel artificial compared with Wyler’s more passionate righteousness, but her presence ends up emphasizing how hollow Wyler’s character actually feels.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presence
Dictionary Entries Near presence
Cite this Entry
“Presence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presence. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈprez-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the fact or state of being present
no one noticed the stranger's presence
2
: position close to a person
in the presence of a guest
3
: a person's appearance
a stately presence
4
: something felt or believed to be present
a ghostly presence
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