ENGLISH
REFERENCE

presidential

adj.
US //ˌpɹɛzəˈdɛnʃəɫ// UK //pɹˌɛzɪdˈɛnʃəl// pres·i·den·tial
  1. 1 related to a president (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    relating to a president or the office of a presidency.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The candidate's platform focused heavily on reforming presidential powers to ensure greater legislative oversight.
  2. 2 presiding or watching over (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    having the role of watching over or protecting something.

    occupying a position of presiding authority or protective oversight.

    Example

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

    Example

    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.
Origin

From president + -ial.

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