president

noun

pres·​i·​dent ˈpre-zə-dənt How to pronounce president (audio)
ˈprez-dənt,
ˈpre-zə-ˌdent,
 in rapid speech  ˈpre-zᵊnt
1
: an official chosen to preside over a meeting or assembly
2
: an appointed governor of a subordinate political unit
3
: the chief officer of an organization (such as a corporation or institution) usually entrusted with the direction and administration of its policies
4
: the presiding officer of a governmental body
5
a
: an elected official serving as both chief of state and chief political executive in a republic having a presidential government
b
: an elected official having the position of chief of state but usually only minimal political powers in a republic having a parliamentary government
presidentship
ˈpre-zə-dənt-ˌship How to pronounce president (audio)
ˈprez-dənt-
ˈpre-zə-ˌdent-
noun

Examples of president in a Sentence

The President will hold a news conference tomorrow. the president of the international conference on genocide
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.
The White House initially announced that the event would move from the Eastern Coachella Valley to Los Angeles, but the event was canceled as the president was in his limousine ready to depart Los Angeles. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 Lapointe, expressing his gratitude for the privilege of serving the community, said that his resignation will take effect on Jan. 17, three days before Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in as the next president. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025 Honor has an office in Indonesia and is working with one local manufacturing partner, Justin Li, the Chinese company’s president of South Pacific operations, told reporters last week. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025 Which is concerning seeing as sitting for work is both on the rise and can put us at risk for other serious health issues, says Stella Volpe, president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for president 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesident-, praesidens, from present participle of praesidēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of president was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near president

Cite this Entry

“President.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/president. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

president

noun
pres·​i·​dent ˈprez-əd-ənt How to pronounce president (audio)
ˈprez-dənt,
ˈprez-ə-ˌdent
1
: a person who presides over a meeting
2
: the chief officer of an organization
a bank president
college president
president of our club
3
: the chief executive officer or the chief of state in a republic
presidential adjective

Legal Definition

president

noun
pres·​i·​dent ˈpre-zə-dənt, -ˌdent How to pronounce president (audio)
often capitalized
1
: an official chosen to preside over a meeting or assembly
2
: an appointed governor of a subordinate political unit
3
: the chief officer of an organization (as a corporation or institution) usually entrusted with the direction and administration of its policies
4
: the presiding officer of a governmental body
the Vice President of the United States shall be President of the SenateU.S. Constitution art. I
5
a
: an elected official serving as both chief of state and chief political executive in a republic having a presidential government
b
: an elected official having the position of chief of state but usually only minimal political powers in a republic having a parliamentary government
presidential adjective
presidentially adverb
presidentship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on president

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