First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
president
noun pres·i·dent \ˈpre-zə-dənt, ˈprez-dənt, ˈpre-zə-ˌdent in rapid speech ˈpre-zənt\
: the head of the government in some countries
: someone who has the highest position in an organization or business
Full Definition of PRESIDENT
1
: an official chosen to preside over a meeting or assembly
2
: an appointed governor of a subordinate political unit
3
: the chief officer of an organization (as a corporation or institution) usually entrusted with the direction and administration of its policies
4
: the presiding officer of a governmental body
5
a : an elected official serving as both chief of state and chief political executive in a republic having a presidential government b : an elected official having the position of chief of state but usually only minimal political powers in a republic having a parliamentary government
— pres·i·den·tial \ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl, ˌprez-ˈden(t)-\ adjective
— pres·i·den·tial·ly \-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb
— pres·i·dent·ship \ˈpre-zə-dənt-ˌship, ˈprez-dənt-, ˈpre-zə-ˌdent-\ noun
See president defined for English-language learners
See president defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PRESIDENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesident-, praesidens, from present participle of praesidēre
Related to PRESIDENT
- Synonyms
- chairman, chairperson, moderator, chair, presider, prolocutor, speaker
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with PRESIDENT
accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, circumvent, compartment, complement, compliment, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, orient, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement
PRESIDENTIAL Defined for Kids
president
noun pres·i·dent \ˈpre-zə-dənt\
Definition of PRESIDENT for Kids
1
: the head of the government and chief executive officer of a modern republic
2
: the chief officer of a company, organization, or society <a bank president> <a college president>
Learn More About PRESIDENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: presidentePrevious Word in the Dictionary: presidencyAll Words Near: president
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up president? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).