incumbent

[ in-kuhm-buhnt ]

adjective

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

   the incumbent officers of the club.

2. obligatory (often followed by on or upon ):

   a duty incumbent upon me.

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

   incumbent upon the cool grass.

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

/ ɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. formal.
   oftenpostpositive and foll by on or upon and an infinitive morally binding or necessary; obligatory

   it is incumbent on me to attend

2. usuallypostpositive and foll by on resting or lying (on)

noun

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

incumbent

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.

Derived Forms

• inˈcumbently, adverb

Other Words From

• in·cumbent·ly adverb
• anti-in·cumbent adjective noun
• nonin·cumbent noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incumbent¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of incumbent¹

C16: from Latin incumbere to lie upon, devote one's attention to, from in- ² + -cumbere, related to Latin cubāre to lie down

Example Sentences

A couple of years ago, Aurora's plan was to supply self-driving software and sensors to automaking incumbents.

From Ars Technica

“It’s incumbent on the Justice Department, if it wants to restore that confidence, to act quickly” to hold the most violent Capitol rioters accountable, he added.

From Washington Post

In 2020, Republicans lost the majority but held their open seats, instead losing several incumbents.

From Washington Post

“Given the reports and the seriousness that some of those reports brought to bear, I believe that it's incumbent upon us in the Legislature to review our taxing methods for harvested timber,” Witt said.

From ProPublica

The United States, an important military ally, is said to be considering censuring the supposed victor, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, over allegations of violence and election fraud.

From Fortune

Twelve incumbent governors who publicly support Common Core easily won re-election.

From The Daily Beast

When Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim Matheson opted not to run again, Love won by several thousand votes in the 2014 midterms.

From The Daily Beast

Actually, Brown lost the Senate race to Democrat incumbent Jean Shaheen because Scott once posed nude for Cosmo.

From The Daily Beast

The result was that the three-term incumbent pulled off a solid 10-point win.

From The Daily Beast

The Democratic incumbent was doing fine with local issues until her opponent used the ISIS beheadings to turn the tide.

From The Daily Beast

Then he got slowly upon his knees, and, gently removing the incumbent folds of canvas, looked out.

From Project Gutenberg

The observance is incumbent on an individual in a certain condition; but his heart is against it.

From Project Gutenberg

Doubtless he had felt it incumbent on himself to sing my praises, for he had always been blind to my faults.

From Project Gutenberg

His lordship said that it was incumbent upon the house to come to a decision upon the question.

From Project Gutenberg

Sire, the title of most Christian king is not a vain one; it makes an ardent zeal for religion incumbent on its possessor.

From Project Gutenberg