presence
Pluralpresences (some meanings)
Pluralpresences (some meanings)
- 1The fact or condition of being in a particular place, within sight, or close at hand.
The guard's presence at the gate discouraged trespassers.
She felt his presence in the room before she even turned around.
UsageUsually the presence of someone or something, or with a possessive: your presence. It sounds like presents (gifts), a different word.
Similarattendance, nearness, proximity
Oppositeabsence
- 2A company's business activity or operations within a particular market.
The firm expanded its presence across European markets last year.
Online retailers built a strong presence before opening any physical stores.
UsageUsually a presence in a market or place: a strong presence in Europe, an online presence.
- 3The area immediately around a person, as in the phrase in the presence of witnesses.
The documents were signed in the presence of two witnesses.
He kept his composure in the presence of the visiting dignitaries.
UsageAlmost always in the phrase in the presence of someone, or in my presence, in her presence.
Similarvicinity
Note
In this sense, presence is the place where something is said or done, not the condition of being present. "Never said it in my presence" means "not where I could hear."
- 4An impressive manner or bearing that makes a person noticed or admired, especially a performer's power to hold an audience.
He had a quiet presence that made colleagues trust him instantly.
Her natural presence marked her as a leader long before she held any title.
UsageUsually with have: she has presence, or a commanding presence. Stage presence is the common phrase for performers.
Note
Stage presence is its best-known form: a woman under five feet can fill a whole theater with it. Yet it needs no stage, and a person can have it while saying nothing. Don Shewey's 1976 review "Haunted Host" in Gay Community News praises an actor for keeping "some semblance of presence."
- 5A body of police officers or troops posted at a location, typically to maintain order or to demonstrate force.
The government has steadily increased its military presence along the northern border.
Residents said the heavy police presence outside the courthouse made them nervous.
UsageUsually after police or military, often with words like heavy or visible: a heavy police presence.
Similardeployment
- 6A being or force, such as a spirit, that is felt or believed to be present in a place.
The medium claimed to sense a hostile presence in the séance room.
Many who stay overnight describe an unseen presence watching them.
UsageUsually feel or sense a presence, often with an adjective: a strange presence, a ghostly presence.
Less common meanings
- 7Full attention to the present moment, with the mind kept from straying to thoughts that do not matter.
Meditation builds presence, the habit of noticing each breath instead of worrying about tomorrow.
He struggled to maintain presence during the long, repetitive task.
Similarmindfulness, awareness, focus, attentiveness, concentration
Oppositedistraction, inattention
- 8An assembly of great or eminent persons.
Note
An archaic collective noun from a time when a gathering of the great could be called a presence. Today it suits only period writing or deliberate pastiche. In ordinary modern prose, readers will probably hear a presence as an unseen spirit or as personal bearing. If no period flavor is wanted, assembly or company says the same thing without that risk.
Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Presence historically meant an assembly of great or eminent persons. en.wikisource.org
- This collective sense of presence is archaic. en.wiktionary.org
- 9To make something present, or to come to be present.
- 10The ambient background sound of a recording space, captured so editors can smooth audio edits; a synonym of room tone.
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Practice
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Origin
Latin praesentia ("a being present"), from praesentem, reached English through Old French presence. It took over from the native Old English word andweardnes.