/ ˈprezns; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] ( of a person ) the fact of being in a particular place :
He hardly seemed to notice my presence.
Her presence during the crisis had a calming effect.
( formal )
Your presence is requested at the meeting.
OPP absence
2.
[ U ] ( of a thing or a substance ) the fact of being in a particular place or thing :
The test can identify the presence of abnormalities in the unborn child.
OPP absence
3.
[ sing. ] a group of people, especially soldiers, who have been sent to a place to deal with a particular situation :
The government is maintaining a heavy police presence in the area.
a military presence
4.
[ C , usually sing. ] ( literary ) a person or spirit that you cannot see but that you feel is near :
She felt a presence behind her.
5.
[ U ] ( approving ) the quality of making a strong impression on other people by the way you talk or behave :
a man of great presence
•
IDIOMS
- in the presence of sb | in sb's presence
- in the presence of sth
- make your presence felt
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin praesentia being at hand, from the verb praeesse , from prae before + esse be.