presence

[ prez-uhns ]

noun

1. the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.

   Antonyms: absence

2. attendance or company:

   Your presence is requested.

3. immediate vicinity; proximity:

   in the presence of witnesses.

   Synonyms: neighborhood

4. the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc.:

   the American military presence in Europe;

   the Japanese presence in the U.S. consumer market.

5. Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great personage giving audience or reception:

   summoned to her presence.

6. the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance, especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience:

   The speaker had a good deal of stage presence.

   Synonyms: mien, carriage

7. personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind:

   a man of fine presence.

8. a person, especially of noteworthy appearance or compelling personality:

   He is a real presence, even at a private party.

9. a divine or supernatural spirit felt to be present:

   He felt a presence with him in the room.

10. British Obsolete. presence chamber.

presence

/ ˈprɛzəns /

noun

1. the state or fact of being present
2. the immediate proximity of a person or thing
3. personal appearance or bearing, esp of a dignified nature
4. an imposing or dignified personality
5. an invisible spirit felt to be nearby
6. electronics a recording control that boosts mid-range frequencies
7. (of a recording) a quality that gives the impression that the listener is in the presence of the original source of the sound
8. obsolete.
   assembly or company
9. obsolete.
   short for presence chamber

Other Words From

• non·presence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin praesentia; present ¹, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of presence¹

C14: via Old French from Latin praesentia a being before, from praeesse to be before, from prae before + esse to be

Example Sentences

This breakthrough offers wildlife managers a crucial tool to verify the presence of these hidden species and assess the success of removal efforts.

From Science Daily

But in their darkest hour, when the most odious contestant seems inevitable, the Cady of the conclave asserts his presence to chastise his fellow cardinals for their pettiness.

From Salon

“Like some other people on the show, Jordan has a very big social media presence, but he is a brilliant actor. He can hold a room in the palm of his hand.”

From Los Angeles Times

In particular, goblet cells -- cup-shaped cells that secrete mucus -- expressed those genes only in the presence of ILC2s, a kind of immune cell.

From Science Daily

In those final three games he still managed a hit and drew a walk and forced the Yankees to account for his presence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behavior
• personality