Present Definition

prĕzənt
presented, presenting, presents
noun
presents
The present time.
Webster's New World
A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now.
American Heritage
The present occasion.
Webster's New World
The present words or writings.
Webster's New World
The present tense.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
Being at the specified or understood place; at hand; in attendance.
Webster's New World
Of or at this time; existing or happening now; in progress.
Webster's New World
Existing (in a particular thing)
Nitrogen is present in the air.
Webster's New World
Now being considered; actually here or involved.
The present subject; present company excepted.
American Heritage
Now being discussed, considered, written, read, etc.
The present writer.
Webster's New World
verb
presented, presenting, presents
To bring (a person) into the presence of, and introduce formally to, another or others.
Webster's New World
To make a gift to.
Presented the winner with a medal.
American Heritage
To honor (someone), esp. formally, with a gift, award, etc.
The mayor presented him with the keys to the city.
Webster's New World
To provide or confront (someone) with something.
This presents us with a difficult problem.
Webster's New World
To offer for viewing or notice; exhibit; display; show.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
idiom
at present
  • At the present time; right now.
American Heritage
for the present
  • For the time being; temporarily.
American Heritage
present arms
  • to hold a rifle vertically in front of the body, with the muzzle up: a position of salute
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Present

Noun

Singular:
present
Plural:
presents

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Present

Origin of Present

  • Middle English presenten from Old French presenter from Latin presentāre to show from praesēns praesent- present participle of praeesse to be in front of present1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Old French from Latin praesēns praesent- present participle of praeesse to be present prae- pre- esse to be es- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, from Latin presentare "to show", from Latin praesent-, praesens present participle of praeesse "to be in front of".

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praesent-, praesens present participle of praeesse (“to be present"), from Latin prae- (“pre-") + esse (“to be").

    From Wiktionary

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