present
1 of 4noun (1)
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt 
: something presented : gift
present
2 of 4verb
pre·sent pri-ˈzent
presented; presenting; presents
transitive verb
1
: to make a gift to
2
: to give or bestow formally
3
a
: to bring (something, such as a play) before the public
b(1)
: to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status
(2)
: to introduce socially
4
a
: to offer to view : show
b
: to bring to one's attention
This presents a problem.
5
a
: to lay (something, such as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry
b
: to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against
6
: to nominate to a benefice
7
: to aim, point, or direct (something, such as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction
8
: to act the part of : perform
intransitive verb
1
: to make a presentation
2
: to become manifest
3
: to come forward as a patient
4
: to present a weapon
present
3 of 4adjective
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt
1
: now existing or in progress
2
a
: being in view or at hand
b
: existing in something mentioned or under consideration
3
: constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking
5
archaic : instant, immediate
6
obsolete : attentive
presentness noun
present
4 of 4noun (2)
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt
1
: the present time
2
a
: the present tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the present tense
3
a
presents plural : the present words or statements
specifically : the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used
b
obsolete : present occasion or affair
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bestowal
- comp
- donation
- donative
- fairing [British]
- freebie
- freebee
- gift
- giveaway
- handsel
- lagniappe
- largesse
- largess
- presentation
Verb
- carry
- give
- mount
- offer
- stage
Adjective
- current
- extant
- immediate
- instant
- ongoing
- present-day
Noun (2)
- here and now
- moment
- now
- today
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He presented the queen with a diamond necklace. He was presented with a medal at the ceremony. She presented a check for $5,000 to the charity. The scientist presented his results to the committee. She will be presenting a paper on methods for teaching ESL at the conference. What time will you be presenting? An offer was presented for our consideration. The Main Street Theater Company is presenting Shakespeare's Othello next month. The museum is presenting an exhibition of paintings by Monet. Adjective The game has existed in its present form for more than 300 years. I am very busy at the present moment. See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesent-, praesens, adjective
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be — more at is
First Known Use
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3b(1)
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b
Phrases Containing present
Kids Definition
present 1 of 4
noun
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt
: something given : gift
a birthday present
present
2 of 4verb
pre·sent pri-ˈzent
presented; presenting
1
: to give with ceremony
Officials presented the award.
2
: to make a gift to
He presented me with a ring.
3
: to bring before the public
present a play
4
: to introduce one person to another
I'd like to present my sister.
5
: to appear in a particular place
Come out—present yourself!
6
: to offer to view : show, display
You must present identification.
7
: to come into or cause to come into being
An opportunity presented itself.
present
3 of 4adjective
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt
1
: not past or future : now going on
What is your present position?
2
: being at a certain place and not elsewhere
All students are present.
3
: pointing out or relating to time that is not past or future
present
4 of 4noun
pres·ent ˈpre-zᵊnt
: the time right now
Medical Definition
present
transitive verb
pre·sent pri-ˈzent
: to show or manifest
patients who present symptoms of malaria
intransitive verb
1
a
: to become manifest
Lyme disease often presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills
b
: to come forward as a patient
he presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veins
T. E. Greene
T. E. Greene2
: to become directed toward the opening of the uterus —used of a fetus or a part of a fetus
babies which present by breech Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology Legal Definition
present 1 of 2
transitive verb
pre·sent pri-ˈzent
1
: to lay before a court as an object of consideration
present a complaint
presented a defense of insanity
2
: to make a presentment of (an instrument)
present
2 of 2adjective
pres·ent ˈpre-zənt
1
: now existing
a present undivided interest in the property
a present ability to pay
2
: constituting the one actually involved or being considered
the present case
3
: being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhere
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. Ipresenting
verb
1
as in offering
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- offering
- giving
- staging
- carrying
- performing
- displaying
- exhibiting
- showing
- mounting
- unveiling
- exposing
- previewing
- representing
- portraying
- parading
- depicting
- playing
- rendering
- enacting
- dramatizing
- coming out with
- proffering
- acting
- impersonating
- showing off
- extending
- tendering
2
as in introducing
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah? Synonyms & Similar Words
- introducing
- acquainting
- addressing
- greeting
- meeting
- hailing
- reintroducing
- reacquainting
3
as in donating
to make a present of the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement Synonyms & Similar Words
- donating
- giving
- volunteering
- providing
- contributing
- offering
- issuing
- bestowing
- awarding
- furnishing
- rendering
- giving of
- giving away
- affording
- conferring
- assisting
- paying
- benefiting
- aiding
- endowing
- dispensing
- imparting
- administering
- proffering
- extending
- helping
- sacrificing
- regaling
- throwing in
- kicking in
- comping
- pitching in
- lavishing
- induing
- chipping in
- tendering
- benefitting
- handing out
- enduing
- doling out
- dishing out
- meting (out)
- putting up
- forking (over, out, or up)
- pungling (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- holding
- keeping
- retaining
- preserving
- saving
- withholding
- advancing
- selling
- pocketing
- lending
- loaning