presider

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•side /prɪˈzaɪd/   v., -sid•ed, -sid•ing. 

1. to have or hold the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting:
   [no object] The judge presided at the trial.
2. preside over, [~ + over + object] to exercise management or control over:
   His lawyer will preside over the estate.

See -sid-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•side  (pri zīd′), v.i., -sid•ed, -sid•ing. 

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 fol. by over):
   The lawyer presided over the estate.

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

pre•sid′er, n.