English Reference
adjective

presidential

adj.
US /ˌpɹɛzəˈdɛnʃəɫ/ UK /pɹˌɛzɪdˈɛnʃəl/ pres·i·den·tial

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    relating to a president or the office of a presidency.

    pertaining to the office, powers, or person of a president.

    Simple

    The country is preparing for the upcoming presidential election in November.

    In context

    The candidate's platform focused heavily on reforming presidential powers to ensure greater legislative oversight.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency ArchaicLiterary

    having the role of watching over or protecting something.

    occupying a position of presiding authority or protective oversight.

    Simple

    In old stories, a presidential spirit was said to guard the sacred forest.

    In context

    The poet personified the stars as presidential watchers over the sleeping city.

    Usage

    This sense is rarely found in modern prose and is almost exclusively restricted to historical or highly formal literary contexts.

Usage presidential election · presidential elections · presidential campaign

If no presidential candidate gets more than 50% of the vote a run-off must be held within 37 days.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

The result could offer an early signal of shifting alliances and voter sentiment before the presidential race.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

From president + -ial.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated