president

UK: /ˈprɛzɪdənt/ US: /ˈprɛzɪdənt/ ,(prez′i dənt)

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

pres•i•dent /ˈprɛzɪdənt/   n. [countable]

1. Government the chief of state and often the chief executive officer of a modern republic, as the United States:
   [often: President] He wondered if he would make a good president.
   [the + President]
   Will the President be reelected?
   [before a name* President]
   President Lincoln.
2. the chief officer of a college, corporation, etc.

See -sid-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pres•i•dent  (prez′i dənt), n. 

1. Government (often cap.) the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the Chief Executive of the United States.
2. an officer appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of persons.
3. the chief officer of a college, university, society, corporation, etc.
4. a person who presides.

• Latin praesident- (stem of praesidēns), noun, nominal use of present participle of praesidēre to preside, govern; see -ent
• Middle English 1325–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

president / ˈprɛzɪdənt/ noun

1. (often capital) the chief executive or head of state of a republic, esp of the US
2. (in the US) the chief executive officer of a company, corporation, etc
3. a person who presides over an assembly, meeting, etc
4. the chief executive officer of certain establishments of higher education

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Late Latin praesidens ruler; see preside

presidential / ˌprɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl/ adjective

ˌpresiˈdentially adverb

ˈpresidentˌship noun