# preside

/pɹiˈzaɪd/ (US) · /pɹɪsˈaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preside
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to lead a meeting or trial

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to be the person in charge of a formal meeting, a court, or a committee.

For teachers: to act as the chairperson, president, or judge in a formal gathering or legal proceeding.

- The judge will preside over the trial starting next Monday morning.
- The Chief Justice was appointed to preside over the high-profile tribunal, ensuring that all procedural rules were strictly followed throughout the testimony.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'over'.

### 2. to exercise authority

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to have a position of power or control over a situation or period of time.

For teachers: to exercise authority, control, or dominance over a specific situation, organization, or era.

- The CEO presided over a period of great success for the company.
- The prime minister presided over a decade of unprecedented economic growth, though critics argue the social costs were significant.

Usage: Typically takes the preposition 'over'.

### 3. to perform at an instrument

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

to be the main person playing a large instrument, like an organ, at an event.

For teachers: to act as a featured solo performer, particularly at a keyboard instrument such as a pipe organ during a ceremony.

- A famous musician will preside at the organ for the wedding ceremony.
- The cathedral organist was invited to preside at the console for the inaugural recital of the newly restored instrument.

Usage: Often takes the preposition 'at' rather than 'over' in this specific musical context.

## Examples

- The judge will preside over the trial today.
- The committee chair will preside over the annual meeting to ensure all members follow the agenda.
- In the absence of the president, the vice president was called upon to preside over the emergency session, maintaining order during a particularly heated debate regarding the new policy.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.