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⇱ PRESENCE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


presence

American  
[prez-uhns] / ˈprɛz əns /

noun

  1. the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.

    Antonyms:
    absence
  2. attendance or company.

    Your presence is requested.

  3. immediate vicinity; proximity.

    in the presence of witnesses.

    Synonyms:
    neighborhood
  4. the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc..

    the American military presence in Europe;

    the Japanese presence in the U.S. consumer market.

  5. Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great personage giving audience or reception.

    summoned to her presence.

  6. the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance, especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience.

    The speaker had a good deal of stage presence.

    Synonyms:
    mien, carriage
  7. personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind.

    a man of fine presence.

  8. a person, especially of noteworthy appearance or compelling personality.

    He is a real presence, even at a private party.

  9. a divine or supernatural spirit felt to be present.

    He felt a presence with him in the room.

  10. British Obsolete. presence chamber.


presence British  
/ ˈprɛzəns /

noun

  1. the state or fact of being present

  2. the immediate proximity of a person or thing

  3. personal appearance or bearing, esp of a dignified nature

  4. an imposing or dignified personality

  5. an invisible spirit felt to be nearby

  6. electronics a recording control that boosts mid-range frequencies

  7. (of a recording) a quality that gives the impression that the listener is in the presence of the original source of the sound

  8. obsolete assembly or company

  9. obsolete short for presence chamber

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonpresence noun

Etymology

Origin of presence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin praesentia; present 1, -ence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has been an ubiquitous presence on the airwaves, including local news programs and campaign ads that aired during the “Puppy Bowl” on the Animal Planet channel on Super Bowl Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Sermons matter, but the most meaningful form of obligation and testimony is about showing up, with enough presence and force to constrain the oppression of power.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Wearing cowboy boots and a handlebar mustache, he had a Texas twang and a quiet, calm presence that disarmed suspects, eliciting confessions.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

"We appreciate the concern that Eghosa's death has caused, particularly among the local community who will continue to see an increased police presence around the area."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The Incorrigibles began saying ooooh, and awww, and oojie-woojie-dodo-woo, as anyone would in the presence of an adorable baby who might be the very last hope of a soon-to-be-extinct species.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.