president

[ prez-i-duhnt ]

noun

1. the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States:

   sworn in as the 56th president of Mexico.

2. an officer appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of persons.
3. the chief officer of a college, university, society, corporation, etc.
4. a person who presides.

president

/ ˈprɛzɪdənt; ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl /

noun

1. often capital the chief executive or head of state of a republic, esp of the US
2. (in the US) the chief executive officer of a company, corporation, etc
3. a person who presides over an assembly, meeting, etc
4. the chief executive officer of certain establishments of higher education

Derived Forms

• ˌpresiˈdentially, adverb
• ˈpresidentˌship, noun
• presidential, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of president¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin praesident- (stem of praesidēns ), noun use of present participle of praesidēre “to preside over, sit in front of”; preside, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of president¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin praesidens ruler; see preside

Example Sentences

He wrote the Project 2025 chapter, "Executive Office of the President," supporting proposals to give the president total power over all federal agencies.

From Salon

“I hope the new president will be better than the current one.”

From BBC

It says something that Dr. Oz is one of the least offensive nominees for public office to be put forth by the incoming president.

From Salon

"Hon Jay Jay Banda is one of those members of parliament who are close to the former president, who this government is pursuing relentlessly."

From BBC

Among the tributes paid to him on Thursday was one from Al Gore, the American former vice president, who praised Mr. Prescott’s work in helping to negotiate the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

From New York Times