preside
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to be in charge of a formal meeting, ceremony, or organisation.
To exercise authority or control, to hold a position of leadership, or to be the head of an institution, event, or activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used for formal, official, or ceremonial leadership roles. Implies a position of authority, often but not exclusively as a chairperson. Typically used with 'over' to indicate the entity being led.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the verb identically.
Connotations
Carries the same formal, authoritative connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in formal and official contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + over + NOUN PHRASE (He presided over the meeting.)VERB + at + NOUN PHRASE (She presided at the ceremony.)VERB + ADV (He presided efficiently.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “preside over the decline/ruin of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a CEO or board chair leading a company or meeting.
Academic
Used for a dean presiding over a faculty, or a professor chairing a thesis defence.
Everyday
Less common; used for formal events like weddings (Who will preside at the ceremony?).
Technical
Used in legal contexts (The judge will preside over the trial.) and parliamentary procedure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Lord Chancellor will preside over the hearing.
- She was the first woman to preside at the annual conference.
American English
- The chief justice presided over the impeachment trial.
- He will preside at the board meeting next Tuesday.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher presided over the class discussion.
- Who is presiding over the meeting today?
- The mayor presided at the opening ceremony.
- The judge presided over a complex fraud case.
- She presided over a period of significant growth for the company.
- The chancellor presided over the university's rapid expansion.
- Historians argue he presided over the decline of the empire's influence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PREsident SITTING at the head of a table. PRE-SIDE. The president presides.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADERSHIP IS BEING AT THE FRONT/TOP (He sits at the head of the table. She is at the helm of the organisation.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'председательствовать' as it is much narrower. 'Preside' is more general for 'to be in charge'.
- Do not confuse with 'reside' (жить, проживать). 'Preside' is about leadership, not living somewhere.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'He presided on the committee.' (Correct: over/at)
- Using it for informal leadership: 'My friend presided over our picnic.' (Too formal.)
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition most commonly follows 'preside' when referring to an event or organisation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while commonly used for meetings and ceremonies, it can also refer to leading an organisation or being in charge during a period of time (e.g., 'preside over a company's bankruptcy').
'Chair' is more specific to leading a committee, meeting, or organisation. 'Preside' has a broader sense of formal authority and can be used for ceremonies, trials, and periods of leadership.
Yes, the past tense is 'presided' (e.g., 'He presided over the summit last year').
While sometimes heard, the more standard and formal constructions are 'preside over a meeting' or 'preside at a meeting'. 'Preside a meeting' is generally considered less idiomatic.