the present perfect

noun

grammar
: a verb tense that is used to refer to an action that began in the past and is completed at the time of speaking

Note: The present perfect in English is formed with "has" and "have" and the past participle of a verb, as in "He has left," and "They have found what they were looking for."

Dictionary Entries Near the present perfect

Cite this Entry

“The present perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20present%20perfect. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!