presided over

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   Was in charge of a meeting, ceremony, or organization, guiding it officially.

   Grammar: Takes an object: presided over the meeting. The object usually comes after 'over'.

   Patterns

   • presided over a meeting
   • presided over a ceremony
   • presided over a committee

   The mayor presided over the town meeting.

   She presided over the graduation ceremony with great dignity.

   He presided over the committee for three years.

2. 2verbtransitiveformal

   Was the most important feature or influence during a particular period.

   Grammar: Takes an object: presided over a period of change.

   Patterns

   • presided over a period
   • presided over an era

   The king presided over a time of great prosperity.

   She presided over a period of rapid technological change.

   The judge presided over a controversial trial.

Word forms

Common combinations

presided over a meeting

The chairperson presided over the meeting efficiently.

presided over a ceremony

The bishop presided over the wedding ceremony.

presided over a period of change

The president presided over a period of economic growth.

presided over the court

Judge Smith presided over the court that day.

Synonyms and how they differ

chaired

Chaired is used mainly for meetings and committees; presided over is more formal and can also mean 'was in charge of' a ceremony or historical period.

led

Led is a general word for guiding a group; presided over suggests an official, often ceremonial role.

Opposites

Word family

preside verb

To be in charge of a meeting or ceremony (usually followed by 'over' or 'at').

president noun

The person who leads an organization or country.

presidency noun

The office or period of being president.

Commonly confused: presided over or preside at?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “presided over”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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