preside

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, chairman, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairman
3
: to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer
usually used with at
presided at the organ
presider noun

Examples of preside in a Sentence

Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web Cammy Vaughan gripped her victim impact statement during her rapist's sentencing when the presiding judge – Robert Adrian – overturned his conviction, a nearly unprecedented move that stripped him of his judgeship two years later. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024 Awoniyi was previously the court’s assistant presiding judge. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024 Johnny Hardwick, presiding judge of Montgomery County’s 15th Judicial Circuit, was allegedly assaulted and shot by his son, Khalfani A. Hardwick, 36, following a domestic dispute, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Mike Gagliardi, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 Johnson’s campaign has filed a complaint demanding that Thomas Nixon, the presiding judge of Alameda County Superior Court, investigate Fickes. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 The Court of Criminal Appeals has been rocked with numerous, highly public controversies often centered on its current presiding judge, has been seen by many as unfair, unproductive and result oriented. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 The presiding judge declined to dismiss murder charges against the socialite, who is accused of speeding through a marked crosswalk and striking and killing two boys. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case Tuesday, meeting a deadline set by presiding U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in the Western District of Michigan. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 30 Jan. 2024 The former president is appealing presiding U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan’s Dec. 1 denial of his motion to dismiss his indictment on presidential immunity and constitutional grounds. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preside.' 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

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

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preside was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near preside

Cite this Entry

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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on preside

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