# present

Pronunciation: say "PREZ-uhnt" /ˈpɹɛzənt/

## Adjective

1. Existing or happening now; relating to the current time.
   - Simple: Happening or existing now, at this time.
   - _The present government has promised to lower taxes._
   - _In its present condition, the building is unsafe to enter._
2. Being in a particular place; located in the immediate vicinity.
   - Simple: Being in a place, not away or missing.
   - _All the board members were present for the vote._
   - _A police officer was present throughout the event._
9. Referring to the particular matter or case under discussion in the immediate context.
   - Simple: Being the exact thing or case you are talking about right now.
   - _For the present purpose, a rough estimate will do._
   - _The present author disagrees with that conclusion._
15. Mentally attentive and focused on what is happening in the moment.
   - Simple: Paying full attention to what is happening right now.
   - _Try to remain present instead of worrying about tomorrow._
   - _He seemed fully present, hanging on every word she said._
22. Registering neither support nor opposition in a vote, used to formally abstain while still being counted.
   - Simple: Choosing not to vote for or against something, but still counted as being there.
   - _Several council members voted present to signal their neutrality._
   - _Rather than vote against her own party, the council member voted present, which counted her for the quorum but put her on record as taking no side._

## Verb

3. To put something forward so that it can be seen; to show or exhibit it. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To show something to people so they can look at it.
   - _The museum will present its new collection next month._
   - _She presented the findings on a large screen._
5. To put forward an idea, plan, argument, or set of options so that others can consider it. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To show or explain an idea, plan, or choices to people so they can think about it.
   - _The researchers present their findings at the annual conference each spring._
   - _He presented a compelling argument for changing the policy._
7. To put on or stage a play, show, or other performance. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To put on a show or play for people to watch.
   - _The theater company presents a Shakespeare festival every summer._
   - _The festival will present three new works by local writers._
8. To give someone a gift, prize, award, or honor, often formally or at a ceremony. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To give someone a gift or prize, often at a special event.
   - _The president presented the astronauts with medals of honor._
   - _They will present the volunteers with certificates of thanks._
10. To act as the presenter or host of a radio or television program. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To be the host who introduces and guides a TV or radio show.
   - _She presents a weekly science program on public radio._
   - _They asked him to present the awards ceremony live._
11. To bring a problem, complaint, or matter before a court or other authority for consideration. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To bring a problem or complaint to a court or to someone in charge.
   - _The attorney presented the petition to the appeals court._
   - _Residents will present their grievances to the board next week._
16. To come to the attention of medical staff, typically with a particular symptom. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To go to a doctor or hospital with a certain symptom or problem.
   - _Patients often present with fatigue before any other symptom appears._
   - _The child presented with a rash that spread quickly._
17. To hand over a bill or similar document so that it can be paid. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To hand someone a bill so that it can be paid.
   - _The supplier presented its invoice for immediate payment._
   - _When the work is finished, the contractor will present an invoice for the remaining balance._
18. To report or appear at a place or before a person, especially in a formal setting such as a tribunal. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To come forward and appear, often in a formal way.
   - _Candidates must present in person at the examination center._
   - _Witnesses are asked to present themselves at the clerk's office by nine o'clock, when the tribunal begins its first hearing of the day._
19. To bring a person before someone else and introduce them, usually with some ceremony. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To formally introduce one person to another.
   - _The debutantes were presented to high society at the annual ball._
   - _He stepped forward to present his colleague to the director._
20. To offer itself for someone's consideration, or to occur to the mind. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To become available for someone to consider, or to come into someone's mind.
   - _An opportunity presented itself during the negotiations._
   - _Several objections present themselves the moment you read the proposal._
21. To convey a particular gender through one's appearance or behavior. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To look or act like a certain gender so other people see you that way.
   - _Many nonbinary people present differently depending on the social setting._
   - _She presents as masculine but uses she/her pronouns._
24. To aim a gun at a target, or bring a weapon up into the firing position. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To point a gun at someone or hold a weapon ready to fire.
   - _He presented his musket at the advancing line._
   - _As the enemy line came into range, the officer shouted for the front rank to present, and a row of muskets rose to the shoulder._
25. Of a fetus, to appear in a particular position for delivery, with a given part appearing first at the mouth of the uterus. (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: Of a baby before or during birth, to lie so that a certain part will come out first.
   - _When a fetus presents breech, clinicians weigh the risks of vaginal delivery._
   - _Most babies present head down by the final weeks of pregnancy._
12. To give rise to or be the origin of something, typically a difficulty, a hazard, a challenge or an opportunity.
   - Simple: To create or bring about something, often a problem, a risk, a challenge or a chance.
   - _Rising sea levels present a serious problem for low-lying coastal towns._
   - _The merger presented an opportunity to cut costs across both companies._
13. To represent someone or something in a particular light, attributing a certain nature or quality, often with as before the description.
   - Simple: To show or describe someone or something as being a certain kind or having a certain quality.
   - _The company's ads present its trucks as the toughest on the market._
   - _Early biographies presented the general in a flattering light and glossed over his defeats._

## Noun

4. A gift, especially one given to mark a birthday, holiday, anniversary, wedding, or similar special occasion.
   - Simple: A gift, especially one given for a special occasion, like a birthday.
   - _They chose a thoughtful present for their parents' anniversary._
   - _The children unwrapped their presents on Christmas morning._
6. The current moment or period of time, as distinct from the past and the future.
   - Simple: The time that is happening now, not the past or the future.
   - _She has learned to live in the present rather than dwelling on old regrets._
   - _At present, the company employs over two hundred people._
14. The verb tense used mainly for actions or states occurring now, and also for habits and general truths.
   - Simple: The form of a verb used for things happening now, and for habits and facts that are always true.
   - _This passage shifts from the past into the present for dramatic effect._
   - _Teachers often introduce the present before other tenses._
23. A jokey, polite word for feces, especially a mess left by an animal. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A playful word for poop, especially a mess left by a pet.
   - _The puppy left a smelly present on the new rug, so out came the paper towels and the spray cleaner._
   - _Somebody's dog had left a present on the sidewalk, and I stepped right in it on my way to work._

## Verb

26. To accuse a person of an offense and have them answer for it before a court. *(rare)* (pronounced: say "pri-ZENT" US /pɹiˈzɛnt/, UK /pɹɪˈzɛnt/)
   - Simple: To formally accuse someone of a crime and bring them to court.

## Adjective

27. Ready to act and quick-thinking in a sudden emergency. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Quick to act and ready when something urgent happens.

## Other meanings

- (noun) The fixed position a soldier holds while presenting arms as a salute.
- (verb) To nominate a member of the clergy for a church benefice by offering them to the bishop as a candidate for the post.
- (verb) In omegaverse fan fiction, to show signs of one's secondary sex, whether alpha, beta, or omega, usually around puberty.
- (adjective) Of a medicine or poison, taking effect at once.
- (adjective) Happening without delay, done right away.
- (adjective) Attentive and kindly disposed, ready to help, as a god heeding prayers.
- (verb) Of a female animal, to adopt a posture exposing the genital area as a sign she is ready to mate, as in lordosis.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–2, 6, 9, 14–15, 22, 27** — Latin praeesse ("to be present"), made of prae- ("pre-") and esse ("to be"), has the present participle praesens, praesent-, which passed through Old French present into Middle English present.
**Meanings 3–5, 7–8, 10–13, 16–21, 23–26** — Latin praesentāre ("to show"), built on praesens, praesent-, the present participle of praeesse ("be in front of"), passed through Old French presenter into Middle English presenten.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/present (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).