English Explanatory Dictionary

president

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The head of state of a republic, sometimes also the head of government as well, particularly (US politics) the head of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States of America.
  2. A person presiding over a corporation, usually an executive overseeing daily operations under a chief executive officer but sometimes a separate position held by a CEO.
  3. A person presiding over a meeting.
  4. A person presiding over a dinner or similar informal conversation.
adj
  1. Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest authority; presiding.
verb
  1. To act as president; to do presidential duties.
noun
  1. Obsolete form of precedent.
noun
  1. An honorific for the head of state of a republic.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɹɛz.ɪ.dənt/ En-uk-the president.ogg en-us-president.ogg /ˈpɹez.ɪ.dənt/ /ˈpɹe̝z.ɘ.dɘnt/

Word forms

president presidents pres. praesident præsident præs. presidenting presidented

Etymology

From Old French president, from Latin praesidēns (“presiding over; president, leader”) (accusative: praesidentem). The Latin word is the substantivized present active participle of the verb praesideō (“preside over”). The verb is composed from prae (“before”) and sedeō (“sit”). The original meaning of the verb is 'to sit before' in the sense of presiding at a meeting. A secondary meaning of the verb is 'to command, to govern'. So praesidēns means 'the presiding one on a meeting' or 'governor, commander'.

Synonyms

prex prexy prez provost prepositus POTUS chair presiding officer presider

Related words

preside presidence presidency presidente Presidente Aguirre Cerda Presidente Hayes presidentiable Presidential

Derived words

copresident dead president ex-president Lady Presidentress Madam President Madame President minister-president Mister President Mr. President Mrs. President Ms. President municipal president President Carlos P. Garcia president-elect presidentess President Garcia presidenthood presidential presidentiary presidentless President Musk president pro tempore president pro tem presidentress presidentrix President Roxas President's Daily Briefing Presidents' Day presidentship president's professor vice president vice-president who died and made you president Missus President
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