presidential

adjective

pres·​i·​den·​tial ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

1

a

: of, relating to, or befitting a president or a president's authority

presidential duties/responsibilities

a presidential pardon

a presidential manner/bearing

the presidential library

b

: of or relating to the election of a president

the presidential campaign

a presidential convention

c

: performing functions delegated by or under the authority of a president

a presidential committee

a presidential agent

2

: of, based upon, or having the characteristics of presidential government

a presidential system

a presidential republic

presidentially

ˌpre-zə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

ˌprez-ˈden(t)-

adverb

a presidentially appointed judge

Examples of presidential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tariffs are being implemented 19 months before the midterm elections and long before the 2028 presidential election. —W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2025

If the court upholds Yoon's impeachment, he will be formally removed from office and South Korea will hold a snap presidential election within 60 days, according to Yonhap. —Jack Moore, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025

Yoon, a political newcomer, took office in 2022 with the conservative People Power Party, winning the presidential election by a margin of less than 1%. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025

This is apparently an insight so obvious and universal that it’s now played a big role in both U.S. and French presidential politics. —Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presidential

• pre-presidential
• presidential government
• presidential/royal pardon

Rhymes for presidential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• providential
• referential