present

1 of 4

noun (1)

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
: something presented : gift

present

2 of 4

verb

pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
presented; presenting; presents

transitive verb

1
: to make a gift to
2
: to give or bestow formally
3
a
: to bring (something, such as a play) before the public
b(1)
: to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status
(2)
: to introduce socially
4
a
: to offer to view : show
b
: to bring to one's attention
This presents a problem.
5
a
: to lay (something, such as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry
b
: to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against
6
: to nominate to a benefice
7
: to aim, point, or direct (something, such as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction
8
: to act the part of : perform

intransitive verb

1
: to make a presentation
2
: to become manifest
3
: to come forward as a patient
4
: to present a weapon

present

3 of 4

adjective

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: now existing or in progress
2
a
: being in view or at hand
b
: existing in something mentioned or under consideration
3
: constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking
5
archaic : instant, immediate
6
obsolete : attentive
presentness noun

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

pres·​ent ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: the present time
2
a
: the present tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the present tense
3
a
presents plural : the present words or statements
specifically : the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used
b
obsolete : present occasion or affair
Phrases
at present
: at or during this time : now
Choose the Right Synonym for present

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession.

give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms
gave her a ride on a pony
give my love to your mother

present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade
a development that affords us some hope

Examples of present in a Sentence

Verb He presented the queen with a diamond necklace. He was presented with a medal at the ceremony. She presented a check for $5,000 to the charity. The scientist presented his results to the committee. She will be presenting a paper on methods for teaching ESL at the conference. What time will you be presenting? An offer was presented for our consideration. The Main Street Theater Company is presenting Shakespeare's Othello next month. The museum is presenting an exhibition of paintings by Monet. Adjective The game has existed in its present form for more than 300 years. I am very busy at the present moment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Oscars are always partly about connecting Hollywood’s present to its past, reminding us that there’s a rich history behind every movie and every nominee. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The resulting film is effective both as a raw family therapy session (albeit with only one member present), and as a prismatic study of performance and cinema as subjective conduits of reality. Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Jimmy Olsen, Superman franchise (1938–present) Sidekick to: Clark Kent/Superman On the big screen, Daily Planet photographer and cub reporter Jimmy Olsen is relegated to playing Clark's (and Superman's) gee-whiz cheerleader. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Fifteen years ago, their son questioned why the family gave each other Christmas presents since there are so many families in need. Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Nor should teachers flinch from illuminating the darker corners of our story and providing context about how those misdeeds still impact our present. Jeff Raikes, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Oakland has had its own struggles with 911 response, garnering warnings from the state, though city officials said earlier this month that more than a dozen previous dispatcher vacancies have since been reduced to just four openings at present. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Per the new film rating, children of any age can still watch without an adult present, but parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children, a BBFC spokesperson said. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 At home, women often carry the mental load of remembering to buy birthday party presents for the weekend, to book the family’s dental appointments, and to ensure homework gets done before dinner. Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
The involuntary manslaughter trial of James Crumbley moved quickly Wednesday, with prosecutors completing their case and the defense presenting only one witness before closing arguments. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 But the opportunity to return to West Valley in 2019 presented the best of two worlds – teaching basketball and the flexibility in his schedule to watch his children grow. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 At a special screening of the movie held Wednesday in Los Angeles, Gosling, 43, and Blunt, 41, presented Logan Holladay with a Guinness World Record: for most cannon rolls in a car. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 This presents a dilemma for Biden and the Democrats pushing hard for additional aid to Ukraine, yet need to court independents. David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 Using the Japanese culinary art of kaiseki, chef-owner Niki Nakayama presents the very best seasonal ingredients from both California and Japan’s land and sea at n/naka. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 Crowded House and Angus & Julia Stone are the performers booked for the 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards, to be presented March 26 at The Ivy in central Sydney. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Beyoncé's new album might feature this classic Dolly Parton song Nearly naked John Cena presents Oscar for best costume design More In: Child Care Mother Children Sara Moniuszko Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 And staying organized presents specific challenges for people who are neurodivergent. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024
Adjective
His social worker was present during the interview but did not interfere in the conversation. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Great Parks interpreters will be present with a limited supply of eclipse glasses at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024 According to Justin Tomei, the organization's policy and government affairs manager, coyotes are present in all 83 counties in Michigan. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Beyond capturing all the beautiful behind-the-scenes moments, wedding content creators allow the couple, along with their friends and family, to be present on their big day by fully unplugging and living in the moment. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 Her ability to be present is a clear sign of the mental peace she’s attained. Celeste Polanco, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 Unlike in the Dune novel, Alia is not present when Paul overtakes his enemies and declares war at the end of Villeneuve’s sequel. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 For the most part, these 1930s westerns depicted at least their principal Black characters with dignity, though reductive comic stereotypes were present, too. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Again, don’t look directly at the sun even when clouds are present. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'present.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesent-, praesens, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be — more at is

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3b(1)

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of present was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near present

Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

present

1 of 4 noun
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
: something presented

present

2 of 4 verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
1
a
: to introduce one person to another
b
: to bring before the public
present a play
2
: to make a gift to
presented me with a watch
3
: to give or hand over with ceremony
present a medal
4
: to make an accusation against someone
present a charge
5
: to offer to view : display, show
presents a fine appearance
presenter noun

present

3 of 4 adjective
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: being or going on now : not past or future
the present situation
2
: being before or near a person or in sight : being at a certain place and not elsewhere
all the pupils were present
was present at the ceremony
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb tense that expresses present time or the time of speaking

present

4 of 4 noun
pres·​ent ˈprez-ᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
b
: a verb form in the present tense
2
: the present time

Medical Definition

present

transitive verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
: to show or manifest
patients who present symptoms of malaria

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become manifest
Lyme disease often presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills
b
: to come forward as a patient
he presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veinsT. E. Greene
2
: to become directed toward the opening of the uterus
used of a fetus or a part of a fetus
babies which present by breechYear Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Legal Definition

present

1 of 2 transitive verb
pre·​sent pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: to lay before a court as an object of consideration
present a complaint
presented a defense of insanity
2
: to make a presentment of (an instrument)
presenter noun

present

2 of 2 adjective
pres·​ent ˈpre-zənt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
: now existing
a present undivided interest in the property
a present ability to pay
2
: constituting the one actually involved or being considered
the present case
3
: being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhere
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members presentU.S. Constitution art. I

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