presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairman, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairman
3
: to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer
—usually used with at
presided at the organ
presider
noun
Examples of preside in a Sentence
Court is now in session, Justice Raul Fernandez presiding.
Recent Examples on the Web
As part of the plea deal, so long as the presiding judge follows the agreement, Law won’t be eligible for parole or released early.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
As Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, who made the final decision to seek the death penalty in the case, watched from the center gallery’s second row, the panel’s presiding juror read aloud the verdict form in midafternoon.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
Events include a poetry competition at The Bishop’s School and a short-story competition at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library presided by French author and former Le Monde newspaper editor-in-chief Eric Fottorino.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
The presiding judge said the evidence was insufficient for a conviction, that the court heard from unreliable witnesses and that some had been influenced by media reports on the defendant.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
As Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, who made the final decision to seek the death penalty in the case, watched from the center gallery’s second row, the panel’s presiding juror read aloud the verdict form in midafternoon.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
Events include a poetry competition at The Bishop’s School and a short-story competition at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library presided by French author and former Le Monde newspaper editor-in-chief Eric Fottorino.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
The presiding judge said the evidence was insufficient for a conviction, that the court heard from unreliable witnesses and that some had been influenced by media reports on the defendant.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preside
verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd 
presided; presiding
1
: to be in the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
preside over a meeting
2
: to be in charge
Legal Definition
preside
intransitive verb
pre·side
pri-ˈzīd
presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
: to occupy the place of authority : direct or regulate proceedings as chief officer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share