present

Forms

1.Relating to now, for the time being; current.
- The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
- The present manager has been here longer than the last one.
2.Located in the immediate vicinity.
- Being the leader, Jason is always present at class.
- Several people were present when the event took place.
- Only half of all present members were present at the meeting.
3.Relating to something a person is referring to in the very context, with a deictic use similar to the demonstrative adjective this.
- I am looking for a present for my mother.
- How many people were present at the meeting?
- At present there are about 31 million Americans over the age of sixty-five.
4.Attentive; alert; focused.
- Sorry, I was distracted just now, I'll try to be more present from now on.

1.The current moment or period of time.
2.A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
- Oh! Thank you for the presents! How considerate of you!
- Only his friends attended his birthday party. They're all broke, so he got no present.
3.The present tense.
4.The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
- He was at present near the headquarters gates.
- The platoon stands at present.

Common· #865

From Middle English present

From Old French present

From Latin praesent-, praesens, present participle of praeesse (“to be present”)

From Latin prae- (“pre-”) + esse (“to be”).