/ prɪˈzaɪd; NAmE / verb
[ v ] preside (at / over sth) to lead or be in charge of a meeting, ceremony, etc. :
the presiding judge
They asked if I would preside at the committee meeting.
( figurative )
The party presided over one of the worst economic declines in the country's history (= it was in power when the decline happened) .
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French présider , from Latin praesidere , from prae before + sedere sit.