presidential

adjective

pres·​i·​den·​tial ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce presidential (audio)
ˌprez-ˈden(t)-
1
a
: of, relating to, or befitting a president or a president's authority
presidential duties/responsibilities
a presidential pardon
a presidential manner/bearing
the presidential library
b
: of or relating to the election of a president
the presidential campaign
a presidential convention
c
: performing functions delegated by or under the authority of a president
a presidential committee
a presidential agent
2
: of, based upon, or having the characteristics of presidential government
a presidential system
a presidential republic
presidentially adverb
a presidentially appointed judge

Examples of presidential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some Democrats, including potential 2028 presidential contenders Rahm Emanuel and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, argue that the party needs to moderate or focus less on such issues. Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025 Former 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held a town hall-style event on Tuesday in GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden's district, a battleground seat in western Wisconsin. Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025 Kitty, who was married to former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, died with family at her side on Friday, March 21, her son, John Dukakis, told WBUR. Brendan Le, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Joining the former President on the list was his former Vice President, and Trump’s one-time opponent in the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for presidential

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of presidential was in 1582

Cite this Entry

“Presidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presidential. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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