prēˈzīd, prə̇ˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin praesidēre to guard, preside over, from prae- pre- + sedēre to sit — more at sit
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to occupy the place of authority (as in an assembly) : act as president, chairman, or moderator (as of a group or meeting) : direct, control, or regulate proceedings as chief officer
the mayor presides in council meetings — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
the chief justice presides over the supreme court
preside at a public meeting
b. : to occupy a similar position or perform similar duties
preside over a funeral service
preside over a literary salon
preside at tea
2. : to exercise superintendence, guidance, direction, or control
called to preside over her son's bereft family — R.K.Leavitt
presided over one of the … forges in the blacksmith shop — Ben Riker
preside over a radio program
3. : to occupy the most conspicuous position : sit or reign supreme
gently rugged country presided over by … mountains — R.W.Hatch
an 18th century tallboy in … the hall where it presides in silent majesty — H.J.Laski
4. : to occupy the position of chief or featured instrumental performer originally as director of a group of musicians — used with at
preside at the organ
transitive verb
: to exercise control or superintendence over : direct , rule
those that were to preside the naval affairs — Thomas Manley