pre ‧ side /prɪˈzaɪd/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: praesidere 'to sit in front of, guard, preside over' , from sedere 'to sit' ]
to be in charge of a formal event, organization, ceremony etc:
I shall be pleased to preside at your meetings.
Mr Justice Waller, presiding judge for the north east
preside over something phrasal verb
1 . to be in a position of authority at a time when important things are happening:
The government seemed to be presiding over large-scale unemployment.
2 . to be the head of a company or organization:
Finch presided over the company for 30 years.
3 . to be in charge of a meeting or activity:
The chairman will preside over an audience of architects and developers.