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The Britannica Dictionary present 9 ENTRIES FOUND:

• present (noun)
• present (verb)
• present (adjective)
• present (noun)
• present day (noun)
• present participle (noun)
• present perfect (noun)
• present tense (noun)
• arm (noun)

1 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ noun plural presents 1 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ noun plural presents Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESENT [count] : something that you give to someone especially as a way of showing affection or thanks : gift

• a birthday/Christmas/anniversary/wedding present
• Here's a present for you from John.
• I gave/got her a book as a present.
• Did you wrap the presents?

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 4present 2 present /prɪˈzɛnt/ verb presents; presented; presenting 2 present /prɪˈzɛnt/ verb presents; presented; presenting Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESENT 1 [+ object] : to give something to someone in a formal way or in a ceremony

• 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.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 a : to formally talk about (something you have written, studied, etc.) to a group of people [+ object]

• The scientist presented his results/report to the committee.
• She will be presenting a paper on methods for teaching ESL at the conference.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• What time will you be presenting?

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b [+ object] : to make (something) available to be used or considered

• The defense will present [=produce] evidence refuting the charges.
• An offer was presented for our consideration.
• The opportunity presented itself [=became available], and she took advantage of it.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] : to make (something, such as a play or show) available to be seen by the public

• The Main Street Theater Company is presenting Shakespeare's Othello next month.
• The museum is presenting an exhibition of paintings by Monet.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] : to show (something) to someone

• He presented his ID to the security guard.
• You'll be required to present a passport when you cross the border.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [+ object] : to describe or show (someone or something) in a particular way

• No matter how the government tries to present what happened, it was a tragic mistake.
• The article presents an accurate picture of the contemporary lives of Japanese women.
• The candidate tried to present a more upbeat image of himself.
• She presents herself as a very ambitious person.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 [+ object] : to create (a problem, challenge, etc.) for someone or something

• Storing these delicate artifacts presents [=poses] a challenge for the college.
• The conflicting information presents a dilemma (for us): which numbers are correct?
• The shortages presented a serious problem to the government. = The shortages presented the government with a serious problem.
• We have been presented with a difficult task.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 7 [+ object] a : to introduce (someone or something) to an audience

• I am pleased to present our first comedian of the night.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b formal : to introduce (someone) to a person who is important, of high rank, etc.

• He was presented as ambassador to the king.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 8 [+ object] formal : to bring (yourself) to a particular place

• She was ordered to present herself at court [=to go to court] the next day.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 9 [+ object] formal : to express (something, such as an apology)

• Please allow me to present my apologies (to you).
• Let me present my congratulations and best wishes (to you) on this happy occasion.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 10 [+ object] British : to introduce the different parts of (a radio or television program)

• She presents [=(US) hosts] a popular game show.

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— presenter

noun, plural presenters [count]

• the presenter of the award
• The presenter spoke well.
• (Brit) the presenter [=(US) host] of the game show

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ adjective 3 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ adjective Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESENT 1 a : not past or future : existing or happening now

• the present [=current] situation
• No further changes are planned at the present time. [=now]
• The game has existed in its present form for more than 300 years.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b — used to say what someone or something is now

• the company's present [=(more commonly) current] employees
• the present leadership of the Senate [=the people who have positions of power in the Senate now]
• The ceremony honors our soldiers, past and present. [=people who were soldiers in the past and people who are soldiers now]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 a : at the particular place or event that is being referred to — often + at

• She was present at the meeting.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + in

• There was a large crowd present in the auditorium.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — sometimes used as an interjection

• “John Smith?” “Present!” [=here]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : existing in something — usually + in

• There were high levels of lead present in the water. [=the water contained high levels of lead]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

all present and accounted for

(US) or British all present and correct — used to say that all the people who are supposed to be at a place or event are there

• The students are all present and accounted for.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

present company excepted/excluded

— used to say that a critical comment you have made about a group of people does not include the person or people you are with

• Men are such jerks—present company excepted/excluded, of course.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

present writer

somewhat formal — used to refer to yourself as the person who is writing something

• No one—present writer included—thought the plan would work. [=no one, including me, thought the plan would work]
• She is promoting her latest movie, which the present writer has not yet seen. [=which I have not yet seen]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ noun 4 present /ˈprɛzn̩t/ noun Britannica Dictionary definition of PRESENT 1 [noncount] : the period of time that exists now : the present time

• Past, present, and future are all linked together.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — usually used with the

• the past, the present, and the future
• Let's leave things as they are for the present. We may change them in the future.
• I have worked here from 2000 to the present.
• Geologists believe that the present is the key to the past.
• There's no time like the present for getting things done! [=it is best to get things done right away instead of waiting until later]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [count] : the current condition or situation of someone or something — usually singular

• He was trying to escape his present by living in the past.
• She moved the company out of a troubled past and into a profitable present.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 the present grammar : present tense

• The verb is in the present.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

at present

: at or during this time : at the present time : now

• Things were bad then but they're better at present.
• At present I am working as a substitute teacher.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 1present ASK THE EDITOR

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