preside

[ pri-zahyd ]

verb (used without object)

, pre·sid·ed, pre·sid·ing.

1. to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.
2. to exercise management or control (usually followed by over ):

   The lawyer presided over the estate.

preside

/ prɪˈzaɪd /

verb

1. to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting
2. to exercise authority; control
3. to occupy a position as an instrumentalist

   he presided at the organ

Derived Forms

• preˈsider, noun

Other Words From

• pre·sider noun
• unpre·siding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

C17: via French from Latin praesidēre to superintend, from prae before + sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

King Charles has arrived in Samoa for a four-day state visit where he will preside for the first time over a gathering of Commonwealth presidents and prime ministers.

From BBC

Patience and Fortitude: These are the names of the stone lions that preside over the steps to the main New York Public Library.

From Los Angeles Times

But he said he expects to arrive Saturday and preside over his first training session Monday in Austin.

From Los Angeles Times

For the past 15 years, he’s been going on the road with circuses to preside over Mass, perform sacraments and provide pastoral care.

From Los Angeles Times

The parts on foreign affairs in her DNC speech and the debate — including Trump’s subservience to Putin and her promise to preside over the world’s most lethal fighting force — weren’t just “foreign policy” statements.

From Salon

Related Words

• administer
• chair
• govern
• officiate
• ordain
• oversee
• supervise