An incumbent is someone who holds an official post at a particular time.
[formal]
In general, incumbents have a 94 per cent chance of being re-elected.
Incumbent is also an adjective.
...the only candidate who defeated an incumbent senator.
2. adjective
If it is incumbentupon you to do something, it is your duty or responsibility to do it.
[formal]
It is incumbent upon all of us to make an extra effort.
Synonyms: obligatory, required, necessary, essential More Synonyms of incumbent
More Synonyms of incumbent
incumbent in British English
(ɪnˈkʌmbənt)
adjective
1. formal(oftenpostpositive and foll by on or upon and an infinitive)
morally binding or necessary; obligatory
it is incumbent on me to attend
2. (usuallypostpositive and foll by on)
resting or lying (on)
noun
3.
a person who holds an office, esp a member of the clergy holding a benefice
Derived forms
incumbently (inˈcumbently)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin incumbere to lie upon, devote one's attention to, from in-2 + -cumbere, related to Latin cubāre to lie down
incumbent in American English
(ɪnˈkʌmbənt)
adjective
1.
lying, resting, or pressing with its weight on something else
2.
currently in office
noun
3.
the holder of an office or benefice
Idioms:
incumbent on
Word origin
L incumbens, prp. of incumbere, to recline or rest on < in-, on + cubare, to lie down: see cube1
Examples of 'incumbent' in a sentence
incumbent
They claim new technologies and rivals will emerge to disrupt the current incumbents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The trip comes during a period when incumbent presidents are usually raising money for the next campaign.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Whether all this is a privilege or a millstone for the new incumbent depends on perspective.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
On what basis did previous incumbents come in?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The prospect now is looked upon with trepidation by the current incumbents of those famous colours.
The Sun (2015)
None requested similar support from the incumbent president.
Jenkins, Roy Truman (1986)
The new incumbent is learning the brutal realities of these days on the hoof.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The current incumbent may have more problems than most.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He knew that distressed economies can mow down incumbent presidents.
Goddard, Stephen B. Getting There: The Epic Struggle between Road and Rail in the American Century (1994)
But the current incumbent has been something else.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There may be no need for the present incumbent to be looking nervously over his shoulder after this.
The Sun (2014)
The previous incumbent can be blamed and the new management can take credit for any gradual rebuilding thereafter.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So is the present incumbent overpaid?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Republican incumbents have dismissed his allegations.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet in doing so he has exposed himself to early controversy that may seriously shorten the presidential honeymoon that most new incumbents enjoy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He would be a different kind of Republican president to the incumbent.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Such is the support for his appointment it is easy to see this as the new incumbent sampling life in his new home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is incumbent on the new chief executive when he takes office in the new year to take stock and then take action.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And that is why the Scot hopes the current incumbent gets an extended term in office.
The Sun (2006)
The arrest of such powerful men was almost inconceivable a decade ago unless they were direct rivals of the incumbent president and possible coup plotters.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The present incumbent is finished.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Within a few weeks of a new incumbent arriving they will probably have forgotten the current young lady and have bonded with the new au pair.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is not easy to recall the previous incumbent to keep wicket for England in a Test match.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This election is also unique in that the hopes of the incumbent president may hinge, in part, on the performance of a past president.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
incumbent
British English: incumbent NOUN
An incumbent is someone who holds an official post at a particular time.
In general, incumbents have a 94 per cent chance of being re-elected.
American English: incumbent
Brazilian Portuguese: titular
Chinese: 在职者
European Spanish: titular del cargo
French: titulaire
German: Amtsinhaber
Italian: titolare
Japanese: 現職者
Korean: 현직자
European Portuguese: titular
Latin American Spanish: titular del cargo
(noun)
Definition
a person who holds a particular office or position
The previous incumbent led the party for eleven years.
Synonyms
holder
the holders of the Championship
the club has 73,500 season-ticket holders
keeper
bearer
The identity documents state the bearer's profession.
custodian
the custodian of the holy shrine in Mecca
(adjective)
Definition
morally binding as a duty
(formal)
It is incumbent upon all of us to make an extra effort.
Synonyms
obligatory
Third-party insurance is obligatory when driving in Italy.
required
This book is required reading.
necessary
Is your journey really necessary?
Please make all the necessary arrangements.
essential
It is absolutely essential that we find this man quickly.
binding
a legally binding commitment
compulsory
compulsory military conscription
mandatory
Attendance is mandatory.
imperative
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bearer
The identity documents state the bearer's profession.