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present
noun (1)
 

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pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Definition of present
 (Entry 1 of 4)
: something presented : GIFT
present
verb
 
pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent  \
presented; presenting; presents
Definition of present (Entry 2 of 4)
transitive verb
1: to make a gift to
2: to give or bestow formally
3a: 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
4a: to offer to view : SHOW
b: to bring to one's attentionThis presents a problem.
5a: 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
intransitive verb
1: to make a presentation
2: to become manifest
3: to come forward as a patient
4: to present a weapon
present
adjective
 
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Definition of present (Entry 3 of 4)
1: now existing or in progress
2a: 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
5archaic  : INSTANT, IMMEDIATE
6obsolete  : ATTENTIVE
present
noun (2)
 
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Definition of present (Entry 4 of 4)
1: the present time
2a: the present tense of a language
b: a verb form in the present tense
3apresents  plural : the present words or statementsspecifically : the legal
instrument or other writing in which these words are used
bobsolete  : present occasion or affair
at present
: at or during this time : NOW
Other Words from   presentSynonyms Choose the Right
Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about   present
Other Words from present
Adjective

presentness noun
Synonyms for present
 Synonyms: Verb

 carry, 
 give, 
 mount, 
 offer, 
 stage

Synonyms: Adjective

 current, 
 extant, 
 immediate, 
 instant, 
 ongoing, 
 present-day
Visit the Thesaurus for More  
Choose the Right Synonym for present
Verb

GIVE, PRESENT, DONATE, BESTOW, CONFER, AFFORD mean to convey
to another as a possession. GIVE, the general term, is applicable to any
passing over of anything by any means. give alms gave her a ride on a
pony give my love to your mother PRESENT carries a note of formality and
ceremony. present an award DONATE is likely to imply a publicized giving
(as to charity). donate a piano to the orphanage BESTOW implies the
conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the
part of the giver. bestow unwanted advice CONFER implies a gracious giving
(as of a favor or honor). confer an honorary degree AFFORD implies a giving
or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character
of the giver.  the trees afford shade   a development that affords us some
hope 
Examples of present in a Sentence
Verb He presented the queen with a diamond necklace. He was presented with
a medal at the ceremony.
See More
First Known Use of present
Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3b(1)

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

History and Etymology for present
Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare,

from praesent-, praesens, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from

present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be —
more at IS
Learn More about present
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Time Traveler for present
The first known use of present was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries near present
presence of mind
presensation
presension
present
presentable
present arms
presentation
See More Nearby Entries  
Phrases Related to present
all present and accounted for
all present and correct
at the present time
present company excepted
present company excluded
present oneself
present writer
Statistics for present
Look-up Popularity

Top 10% of words

Cite this Entry
“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present. Accessed 1 Jun. 2020.
Style: MLA
More Definitions for present
present
  verb
English Language Learners Definition of present
 (Entry 1 of 2)
: to give something to someone in a formal way or in a ceremony
: to formally talk about (something you have written, studied, etc.) to a group
of people
: to make (something) available to be used or considered
present
  adjective
English Language Learners Definition of present (Entry 2
of 2)
: not past or future : existing or happening now
—used to say what someone or something is now
: at the particular place or event that is being referred to
See the full definition for  present in the English Language Learners Dictionary
present
  noun
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Kids Definition of present
 (Entry 1 of 4)
: something given : GIFTa birthday present
present
  verb
pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent  \
presented; presenting
Kids Definition of present (Entry 2 of 4)
1: to give with ceremonyOfficials presented the award.
2: to make a gift toHe presented me with a ring.
3: to bring before the publicpresent a play
4: to introduce one person to anotherI'd like to present my sister.
5: to appear in a particular placeCome out—present yourself!
6: to offer to view : SHOW, DISPLAYYou must present identification.
7: to come into or cause to come into beingAn opportunity presented itself.
present
  adjective
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Kids Definition of present (Entry 3 of 4)
1: not past or future : now going onWhat is your present position?
2: being at a certain place and not elsewhereAll students are present.
3: pointing out or relating to time that is not past or future
present
  noun
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zᵊnt  \
Kids Definition of present (Entry 4 of 4)
: the time right now
present
  transitive verb
pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent  \
Medical Definition of present
: to show or manifestpatients who present symptoms of malaria
intransitive verb
1a: to become manifestLyme disease often presents with erythema migrans,
fatigue, fever, and chills
b: to come forward as a patienthe presented with grossly swollen ankles and
large varicose veins — T. E. Greene
2: to become directed toward the opening of the uterus —used of a fetus or
a part of a fetusbabies which present by breech— Year Book of Obstetrics &
Gynecology

present
  transitive verb
pre·sent | \ pri-ˈzent  \
Legal Definition of present
 (Entry 1 of 2)
1: to lay before a court as an object of considerationpresent a
complaintpresented a defense of insanity
2: to make a presentment of (an instrument)
Other Words from present
presentation \ ˌprē-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən, ˌpre-, -zən-  \ noun
presenter noun
present
  adjective
pres·ent | \ ˈpre-zənt  \
Legal Definition of present (Entry 2 of 2)
1: now existinga present undivided interest in the propertya present ability to
pay
2: constituting the one actually involved or being consideredthe present case
3: being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhereno person
shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the
members present— U.S. Constitution art. I
More from Merriam-Webster on present
 Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for   present
Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with   present
Spanish Central: Translation of   present
Nglish: Translation of  present for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of present for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about   present
Comments on present
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heard it (including the quote, if possible).
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