incumbent

American  

[in-kuhm-buhnt] / ɪnˈkʌm bənt /

adjective

1. holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently.

   the incumbent officers of the club.

2. obligatory (often followed by on orupon ).

   a duty incumbent upon me.

3. Archaic. resting, lying, leaning, or pressing on something.

   incumbent upon the cool grass.

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noun

1. the holder of an office.

   The incumbent was challenged by a fusion candidate.

2. British. a person who holds an ecclesiastical benefice.

incumbent British  

/ ɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. formal morally binding or necessary; obligatory

   it is incumbent on me to attend

2. resting or lying (on)

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noun

1. a person who holds an office, esp a clergyman holding a benefice

incumbent Cultural  

1. One who holds a public office. By virtue of their experience in office, their exposure to the public, and their ability to raise campaign funds, incumbents usually have a significant advantage over opponents if they choose to run for reelection.

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Other Word Forms

• anti-incumbent adjective
• incumbently adverb
• nonincumbent noun

Etymology

Origin of incumbent

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (noun), from Latin incumbent-, stem of incumbēns “lying upon,” present participle of incumbere “to lie or lean upon,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -cumbere (variant combining form of cubāre “to lie down”; cubicle )

Example Sentences

Sometimes you can entice incumbents to pay for their own demise.

From The Wall Street Journal

With challengers unable to reach voters, and citizen groups unable to speak, the advantages of incumbent politicians, who can command media attention without paid advertising, would have grown even greater.

From The Wall Street Journal

In its 2024 presidential election, the incumbent lost and peacefully relinquished power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Without explaining his decision to replace Denys Shmygal, the Ukrainian leader said he had proposed the incumbent "head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability".

From Barron's

Unfamiliar districts can drive incumbents to early retirement by severing their connection with well-established constituencies.

From Salon

Related Words

• occupant