president
President (noun) means the elected head of state of a republic, or the head of its government. Example: “The president addressed the nation on television.”
How to use president
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe top elected or appointed leader of a country, company, or organization.
Word forms
presidented past tense, presidents plural, Presidents plural, presidents singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ addressed the nation on television.
Etymology
From Latin praesidens, "one presiding," the present participle of praesideo, "to preside over," from prae- ("before") and sedeo ("to sit").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for president
See all rhymes for president →Frequently asked questions
What does “president” mean?
The word “president” means the elected head of state of a republic, or the head of its government. In plain terms, the top elected or appointed leader of a country, company, or organization.
How do you pronounce “president”?
“President” is pronounced PREHZ-ih-duhnt (/ˈpɹɛz.ɪ.dənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “president” in a sentence?
Here is “president” used in a sentence: “The president addressed the nation on television.”
What is another word for “president”?
Words with a similar meaning to “president” include prex, prexy, prez, provost and prepositus.
What part of speech is “president”?
“President” is a noun.
Where does the word “president” come from?
The word “president” comes from Latin. From Latin praesidens, "one presiding," the present participle of praesideo, "to preside over," from prae- ("before") and sedeo ("to sit").
Is “president” a common word?
“President” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “president” have?
“President” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the elected head of state of a republic, or the head of its government.
What is the difference between a president and a prime minister?
A president is usually the elected head of state and, in many countries, also leads the government. A prime minister is the head of government drawn from the legislature, often serving alongside a separate head of state such as a monarch or president. Presidents are frequently elected directly; prime ministers typically are not.
What is the difference between a president and a monarch?
A president is elected and serves for a fixed term, usually in a republic. A monarch, a king or queen, inherits the position and normally holds it for life. Both can act as head of state, but a president gains power through election, while a monarch does so by birth.
What does a president do?
As head of state, a president represents the nation at home and abroad, signs laws, and often commands the armed forces. Where the president also heads the government, duties expand to setting policy and running the executive branch. Exact powers vary widely depending on each country's constitution.
Can 'president' refer to someone outside government?
Yes. 'President' also names the most senior officer of many organisations, such as a company, university, club, or association. In this sense the president leads the body, chairs its meetings, and represents it publicly, much as a national president leads a country, though without any political authority.
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