presented; presenting; presents
1
: to make a gift to
2
: to give or bestow formally
3
a
: to bring (something, such as a play) before the public
b(1)
: to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status
(2)
: to introduce socially
4
a
: to offer to view : show
b
: to bring to one's attention
This presents a problem.
5
a
: to lay (something, such as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry
b
: to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against
6
: to nominate to a benefice
7
: to aim, point, or direct (something, such as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction
8
: to act the part of : perform
1
: to make a presentation
2
: to become manifest
3
: to come forward as a patient
4
: to present a weapon
1
: now existing or in progress
2
a
: being in view or at hand
b
: existing in something mentioned or under consideration
3
: constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking
6
obsolete
: attentive
presentness
noun
1
: the present time
2
a
: the present tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the present tense
3
a
presents plural
: the present words or statements
specifically
: the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used
b
obsolete
: present occasion or affair
Synonyms
Examples of present in a Sentence
Verb
He presented the queen with a diamond necklace.
He was presented with a medal at the ceremony.
She presented a check for $5,000 to the charity.
The scientist presented his results to the committee.
She will be presenting a paper on methods for teaching ESL at the conference.
What time will you be presenting?
An offer was presented for our consideration.
The Main Street Theater Company is presenting Shakespeare's Othello next month.
The museum is presenting an exhibition of paintings by Monet.
Adjective
The game has existed in its present form for more than 300 years.
I am very busy at the present moment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
At present, all seven members of the group — V, Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, RM, Jin and J-Hope — are in the midst of their mandatory South Korean military service, with the full group not expected to reunite until next year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for present 
Noun
At present, Paramount Global is in the midst of an exclusive 30-day negotiating window with Skydance Media.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
At present, all seven members of the group — V, Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, RM, Jin and J-Hope — are in the midst of their mandatory South Korean military service, with the full group not expected to reunite until next year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for present
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'present.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to present
Dictionary Entries Near present
Cite this Entry
“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
present
1 of 4 noun
pres·ent
ˈprez-ᵊnt 
: something presented
present
2 of 4 verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
1
a
: to introduce one person to another
b
: to bring before the public
present a play
2
: to make a gift to
presented me with a watch
3
: to give or hand over with ceremony
present a medal
4
: to make an accusation against someone
present a charge
presenter
noun
present
3 of 4 adjective
pres·ent
ˈprez-ᵊnt
1
: being or going on now : not past or future
the present situation
2
: being before or near a person or in sight : being at a certain place and not elsewhere
all the pupils were present
was present at the ceremony
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb tense that expresses present time or the time of speaking
present
4 of 4 noun
pres·ent
ˈprez-ᵊnt
1
a
b
: a verb form in the present tense
2
: the present time
Medical Definition
present
transitive verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
: to show or manifest
patients who present symptoms of malaria
1
a
: to become manifest
Lyme disease often presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills
b
: to come forward as a patient
he presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veins—T. E. Greene
T. E. Greene2
: to become directed toward the opening of the uterus
—used of a fetus or a part of a fetus
babies which present by breech—Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Year Book of Obstetrics & GynecologyLegal Definition
present
1 of 2 transitive verb
pre·sent
pri-ˈzent
1
: to lay before a court as an object of consideration
present a complaint
presented a defense of insanity
2
: to make a presentment of (an instrument)
presenter
noun
present
2 of 2 adjective
pres·ent
ˈpre-zənt
1
: now existing
a present undivided interest in the property
a present ability to pay
2
: constituting the one actually involved or being considered
the present case
3
: being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhere
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. ILove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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