First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1present
noun pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
Definition of PRESENT
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Origin of PRESENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
2present
verb pre·sent \pri-ˈzent\
: to give something to someone in a formal way or in a ceremony
: to formally talk about (something you have written, studied, etc.) to a group of people
: to make (something) available to be used or considered
Full Definition of PRESENT
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status (2) : to introduce socially b : to bring (as a play) before the public
2
: to make a gift to
3
: to give or bestow formally
4
a : to lay (as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry b : to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against
5
: to nominate to a benefice
6
a : to offer to view : show b : to bring to one's attention <this presents a problem>
7
: to act the part of : perform
8
: to aim, point, or direct (as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction
intransitive verb
1
: to present a weapon
2
: to become manifest
3
: to come forward as a patient
See present defined for English-language learners
Origin of PRESENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesent-, praesens, adjective
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of PRESENT
give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means <give alms> <gave her a ride on a pony> <give my love to your mother>. present carries a note of formality and ceremony <present an award>. donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity) <donate a piano to the orphanage>. bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver <bestow unwanted advice>. confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor) <confer an honorary degree>. afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver <the trees afford shade> <a development that affords us some hope>.
Rhymes with PRESENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent
3present
adjective pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
: not past or future : existing or happening now
—used to say what someone or something is now
: at the particular place or event that is being referred to
Full Definition of PRESENT
1
: now existing or in progress
2
a : being in view or at hand b : existing in something mentioned or under consideration
3
: constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking
5
obsolete : attentive
See present defined for English-language learners
Origin of PRESENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be — more at is
First Known Use: 14th century
4present
noun pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
Definition of PRESENT
1
a obsolete : present occasion or affair b plural : the present words or statements; specifically : the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used
2
a : the present tense of a language b : a verb form in the present tense
First Known Use of PRESENT
14th century
PRESENTED Defined for Kids
1present
noun pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
Definition of PRESENT for Kids
: something given : gift <a birthday present>
2present
verb pre·sent \pri-ˈzent\
pre·sent·edpre·sent·ing
Definition of PRESENT for Kids
1
: to give with ceremony <Officials presented the award.>
2
: to make a gift to <He presented me with a ring.>
3
: to bring before the public <present a play>
4
: to introduce one person to another <I'd like to present my sister.>
5
: to appear in a particular place <Come out—present yourself!>
7
: to come into or cause to come into being <An opportunity presented itself.>
3present
adjective pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
Definition of PRESENT for Kids
1
: not past or future : now going on <What is your present position?>
2
: being at a certain place and not elsewhere <All students are present.>
3
: pointing out or relating to time that is not past or future
4present
noun pres·ent \ˈpre-zənt\
Definition of PRESENT for Kids
: the time right now
Medical Dictionary
present
transitive verb pre·sent \pri-ˈzent\
Medical Definition of PRESENT
: to show or manifest <patients who present symptoms of malaria>
intransitive verb
1
a : to become manifest <Lyme disease often presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills> b : to come forward as a patient <he presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veins—T. E. Greene>
2
: to become directed toward the opening of the uterus—used of a fetus or a part of a fetus <babies which present by breech—Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology>
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