DictionaryAI

president

PREZ-i-duhnt/ˈpɹɛzɪdənt/

Pluralpresidents

6 meanings of president

Practice

  1. 1
    head of statenouncountable
    The leader of a country that has no king or queen.

    Like a king or queen for a country, but chosen by the people instead of born into the job.

    The president gave a speech on television last night.

    People voted for a new president on Sunday.

    UsageUse a capital letter before a name: President Lincoln. Otherwise usually a small letter: the president of France.

  2. 2
    organization headnouncountable
    The person chosen to lead a club, group, union, college or university.

    My mom was elected president of the garden club.

    The college president gave a short speech at graduation.

    UsageSay president of the club, or club president.

    Similarhead, leader

  3. 3
    company headnouncountable
    A top boss who leads a company, sometimes ranking below the CEO.

    Like the captain of a ship, but for a company.

    The president of the company spoke to all the workers.

    He became president of a small software firm.

    UsageA president and a CEO can be two different people at one company.

    Similarhead

    Note
  4. 4
    chairnouncountable
    The person who leads a meeting and keeps it in order.

    Like a referee who keeps a game fair and orderly.

    The president of the assembly banged a gavel and asked for quiet.

    Members take turns as president, so each meeting has a different leader.

    UsageSay president of the meeting. For most meetings people say chair instead.

    Similarchair, chairperson, chairman

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    serve as headverbintransitive
    To act as a president and do the work a president does.

    Similargovern, lead

  2. 6
    adjectivearchaic
    Holding the highest rank or the main place of power.
    His angels president / In every province.
    1671, John Milton, “The First Book”Here, president means ruling, holding the highest place of power over each province.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of president apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin praesidēns, meaning 'the one presiding' or 'leader'. It came from a verb built from prae ('before') and sedeō ('sit'), so it first meant 'to sit before' a meeting.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts