present tense
noun
: the tense of a verb that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what occurs or is true at the time of speaking and of what is habitual or characteristic or is always or necessarily true, that is sometimes used to refer to action in the past, and that is sometimes used for future events
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web And at Snowmass, many particle physicists—particularly those of an older vintage—still spoke of it in the present tense as an old friend. 
Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2022 Fairly late in the book, for instance, there’s a live-action scene written in the second person, present tense that’s a tour de force. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 28 June 2022 But with the country of his birth currently experiencing the destructive force of the Russian invasion in an all-too-vivid present tense, such abstract philosophizing cannot but feel like a distracting luxury. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 June 2022 Bruce Banner talks about Rogers in the present tense, an indication that the former Cap is alive somewhere. Chris Smith, BGR, 20 Aug. 2022 These days, though, C.C.R.’s songbook can feel freshly freed—as if those old songs had been waiting for us all along to show up and need them again in present tense. David Cantwell, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2022 The performance is strongest in present tense, as parallels between the struggle to survive and slightly less existential pains don’t always land. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 27 July 2022 The idea for the book definitely came from the conditions of our present tense. Michele Filgate, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2022 This is a movie that’s playing out in its own, disruptive present tense, looking back on its past self with curiosity and also skepticism. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2021 See More
Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2022 Fairly late in the book, for instance, there’s a live-action scene written in the second person, present tense that’s a tour de force. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 28 June 2022 But with the country of his birth currently experiencing the destructive force of the Russian invasion in an all-too-vivid present tense, such abstract philosophizing cannot but feel like a distracting luxury. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 June 2022 Bruce Banner talks about Rogers in the present tense, an indication that the former Cap is alive somewhere. Chris Smith, BGR, 20 Aug. 2022 These days, though, C.C.R.’s songbook can feel freshly freed—as if those old songs had been waiting for us all along to show up and need them again in present tense. David Cantwell, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2022 The performance is strongest in present tense, as parallels between the struggle to survive and slightly less existential pains don’t always land. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 27 July 2022 The idea for the book definitely came from the conditions of our present tense. Michele Filgate, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2022 This is a movie that’s playing out in its own, disruptive present tense, looking back on its past self with curiosity and also skepticism. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
present tense
noun
: a verb tense that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what is true at the time of speaking or is always true