Meaning & use

presiding

adjective·Academic

Having the authority or role of officially leading or being in charge of a meeting, court, or ceremony.

See it in a sentence

The presiding judge asked both lawyers to approach the bench.

As the presiding officer, she called the annual meeting to order at noon.

A note on using this word

Presiding almost always comes directly before a role noun such as judge, officer, or chair, rather than standing alone.

Words with a similar meaning

officiatingchairing

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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