preside

[pri-zahyd]

verb (used without object)

presided, presiding 

1. to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.

2. to exercise management or control (usually followed byover ).

   The lawyer presided over the estate.

preside

/ prɪˈzaɪd /

verb

1. to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting

2. to exercise authority; control

3. to occupy a position as an instrumentalist

   he presided at the organ

Other Word Forms

• presider noun
• unpresiding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of preside¹

C17: via French from Latin praesidēre to superintend, from prae before + sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

Soccer, will do something that has never been done before when she becomes the first female national federation head to preside over a World Cup.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Coatsworth added that Musk "presides over a company that has lost its edge, is being overtaken by rivals, and whose brand has been tarnished by Musk's actions outside of Tesla."

From BBC

Soccer, will do something that has never been done before when she becomes the first female national federation head to preside over soccer’s biggest tournament.

From Los Angeles Times

Party leaders are due to meet the presiding officer and chief executive.

From BBC

The controversial head of P&O Ferries who presided over the mass sacking of hundreds of workers has quit his role.

From BBC

Related Words

• administer 
• chair 
• govern 
• officiate 
• ordain 
• oversee 
• supervise