presided; presiding
1
: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
2
a
: to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairperson, or moderator
b
: to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairperson
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
The presiding juror at first signed a verdict form indicating both a guilty and not guilty verdict on one of the murder counts.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
The presiding judge set Hollingsworth free due to a lack of evidence of committing a crime.
—Josh Taylor, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Routh was convicted of five counts in September after a disastrous attempt to represent himself at trial, where he was repeatedly reprimanded by the presiding judge, Aileen Cannon.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors on Bragg’s case earlier this week urged the presiding judge to schedule trial to begin in July, before the federal case makes it before a jury, arguing local authorities first investigated and charged Mangione and should get to try him first.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
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Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
The presiding judge set Hollingsworth free due to a lack of evidence of committing a crime.
—Josh Taylor, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Routh was convicted of five counts in September after a disastrous attempt to represent himself at trial, where he was repeatedly reprimanded by the presiding judge, Aileen Cannon.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors on Bragg’s case earlier this week urged the presiding judge to schedule trial to begin in July, before the federal case makes it before a jury, arguing local authorities first investigated and charged Mangione and should get to try him first.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preside
Cite this Entry
“Preside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preside. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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
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