Meaning of present In English

• 0 something that you are given, without asking for it, on a special occasion, especially to show friendship, or to say thank you:

  • a birthday/Christmas/wedding present

  • They gave me theatre tickets as a present.

• 1 the period of time that is happening now, not the past or the future:

  • That's all for the present.

  • The play is set in the present.

  • The verb in this sentence is in the present.

  • "Are you busy?" "Not at present."

  • At present she's working abroad.

• 2 in a particular place:

  • The whole family was present.

  • There were no children present.

• 3 happening or existing now:

  • I don't have her present address.

  • Please state your present occupation and salary.

• 4 to give, provide, or make something known:

  • The winners were presented with medals.

  • The letter presented the family with a problem that would be difficult to solve.

  • The documentary presented us with a balanced view of the issue.

  • He presented the report to his colleagues at the meeting.

  • The classroom presented a cheerful busy atmosphere to the visitors (= appeared to them to have this).

  • The school is presenting (= performing) "West Side Story" as its end-of-term production.

• 5 to introduce a television or radio show:

  • She presents the late-night news.

  • May I present Professor Carter?

  • Later on I'd like to present you to the headteacher.

  • He presented himself at the doctor's at 9.30 a.m. as arranged.

  • An opportunity suddenly presented itself.

• 6 to see a doctor, etc. when showing particular signs of an illness or medical condition :

  • Children presenting with acute respiratory infections were referred for a chest X-ray.

  • When patients present with chest pain, clinical examination and patient history are fundamental to determine the probable cause of pain.

  • Medical conditions might present differently during pregnancy.

  • Bone cancer generally presents as pain in the area of thetumour.

• 7 something that is given without being asked for, esp. on a special occasion or to say thank you; a gift:

  • a birthday/wedding/graduation present

  • Did you wrap the present?

• 8 this period of time, not the past or the future; now:

  • The story moves back and forth between the past and the present.

• 9 (in grammar) having the tense of a verb used to describe actions, events, or states that are happening or existing at this time:

  • Her book is written entirely in the present tense.

• 10 having the tense of a verb used to describe actions, events, or states that are happening or existing at this time:

  • Her book is written entirely in the present tense.

• 11 in a particular place:

  • The mayor was present during the entire meeting.

• 12 to give, show, provide, or make known:

  • The mayor presented five firefighters with medals for saving people’s lives.

  • Two clubs in the neighborhood present jazz on Thursdays.

  • Dr. Gottlieb will present her research in a series of lectures this spring.

  • Paul Groncki presented himself to the receptionist on the 41st floor.

  • An opportunity suddenly presented itself.

• 13 to cause something:

  • Falling tax revenues present a problem for the city.

• 14 to introduce a person:

  • I’m pleased to present my son, Charles.

• 15 to offer your thoughts, ideas, plans, etc., to others for them to consider:

  • He will present a detailed explanation of the new sales campaign at the next meeting.

• 16 to give a bill, cheque, document, etc., to someone:

  • Today a store scans your goods, and you simply present your credit card and sign your name.

  • present sb with sth Organizers presented her with a check for $25,000.

  • present sth to sb We presented our passports to the customs officer.

• 17 if someone or something presents a problem, opportunity, etc., they create it:

  • The shake-out in bank shares may well have presented an opportunity for bargain hunters.

  • be presented with sth He was presented with a tough choice.