present Definition

present¹
adj

1. Being at the place or occasion in question.

Thesaurus: here, there, attending; Antonym: absent.
2. Existing, detectable or able to be found.

Thesaurus: at hand, near, ready, available.
3. Existing now.

Example: the present situation
Thesaurus: immediate, current, contemporary, existent, extant; Antonym: out-of-date, past.
4. Now being considered.

Example: the present subject
5. grammar.
Said of the tense of a verb: indicating action that is taking place now, or action that is continuing or habitual, as in I walk the dog every morning and He's going to school.

noun

1. The present time.

Thesaurus: now, right now, present moment, today, instant, this time.
2a. grammar.
The present tense;
2b. grammar.
A verb in the present tense. Compare past, perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, future.
3. law., old use
The present document; this statement, these words, etc.
Form: presents

Idiom: at present

Now.

Idiom: for the present

For the time being.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin praesens, praesentis.

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present²
verb presented, presenting

1. To give or award something, especially formally or ceremonially.

Example: presented them with gold medals
Thesaurus: give, furnish, grant, award, bestow, confer, hand over, extend, donate, entrust, tender.
2. To introduce (a person), especially formally.
3. To introduce or compère (a TV or radio show).

Thesaurus: display, mount, exhibit, show, stage, produce.
4. To stage (a play), show (a film), etc.
5. To offer something for consideration; to submit.

Thesaurus: suggest, proffer, put forth, pose, advance, raise, offer.
6. To pose; to set.

Example: shouldn't present any problem
7. Said of an idea: to suggest (itself).
8. To hand over (a cheque) for acceptance or (a bill) for payment.
9. To set out something.

Example: presents her work neatly
10. To depict or represent something or someone.
11. To put on (a specified appearance) in public.
12. To offer (one's compliments) formally.
13. To hold (a weapon) in aiming position. See also present arms below.
intr
14a. medicine.
To report to a doctor with certain symptoms or signs;
intr
14b. medicine.
Said of an illness, disease, etc: to manifest.
intr
15. obstetrics.
Said of a baby's head or buttocks in childbirth: to be in a position to emerge first.

Idiom: present arms

To hold a rifle or other weapon vertically in front of one as a salute.

Idiom: present oneself

To appear in person.

Etymology: 13c: from French presenter, from Latin praesentare to place before.

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present³
noun

1. Something given; a gift.

Thesaurus: gift, favour, benefaction, gratuity, endowment, bounty, boon, grant, donation, largesse, offering, compliment.

Etymology: 13c: French, from the phrase mettre une chose en présent à quelqu'un to put something in the presence of someone, hence to offer as a gift to someone.