presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈpre-zᵊn(t)s 
1
: the fact or condition of being present (see present entry 3)
2
a
: the part of space within one's immediate vicinity
b
: the neighborhood of one of superior especially royal rank
3
archaic
: company sense 2a
4
: one that is present: such as
a
: the actual person or thing that is present
b
: something present of a visible or concrete nature
5
6
: something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present
Examples of presence in a Sentence
Bacteria sense their neighbors and respond to the presence of others in the colony by exchanging small molecules and bits of proteins called peptides …
—
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009
Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. … As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007
men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Van Komen, one of the tallest players in all of college basketball at 7-4, added 6 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Red Wolves struggled to find success in the lane with his presence defensively.
—Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Though Indianapolis has not seen crackdowns on the scale of those in Minneapolis or Chicago, ICE still has a presence throughout the state, and even rumors of the agency's presence in the city are enough to incite fear among those who oppose it.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 31 Jan. 2026
There are a few characters—the cowboy who leads horseback rides through the canyon (straight from central casting, but totally legit), or the guide who takes you hiking into the desert who knows how to survive on cactus and insects and also feels the presence of Navajo ghosts.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
And even now, four years after juries across two states confirmed the testimonies from survivors by finding Kelly guilty on a range of heinous charges, Kelly’s presence looms over his hometown.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presence
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Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Though Indianapolis has not seen crackdowns on the scale of those in Minneapolis or Chicago, ICE still has a presence throughout the state, and even rumors of the agency's presence in the city are enough to incite fear among those who oppose it.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 31 Jan. 2026
There are a few characters—the cowboy who leads horseback rides through the canyon (straight from central casting, but totally legit), or the guide who takes you hiking into the desert who knows how to survive on cactus and insects and also feels the presence of Navajo ghosts.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
And even now, four years after juries across two states confirmed the testimonies from survivors by finding Kelly guilty on a range of heinous charges, Kelly’s presence looms over his hometown.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presence
Cite this Entry
“Presence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presence. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
presence
noun
pres·ence
ˈprez-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the fact or state of being present
no one noticed the stranger's presence
2
: position close to a person
in the presence of a guest
3
: a person's appearance
a stately presence
4
: something felt or believed to be present
a ghostly presence
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