present

1 /'prezFnt/ adjective

1 be present

a) to be in a particular place: How many people were present at the meeting yesterday? | small amounts of gas present in the atmosphere

b) to be felt strongly or remembered for a long time: The memory of her brother's death a year ago is still present in her mind.

2 (only before noun) happening or existing now: What is your present address? | Usually I'd advise you to wait, but in the present situation I think it's best to act without delay.

3 (only before noun) technical related to a verb that shows an existing state or action: `He wants' and `They are coming' are examples of verbs in the present tense.

4 all present and correct BrE also all present and accounted for AmE used to say that everyone who is supposed to be in a place, at a meeting etc is now here

5 present company excepted used when you are saying something rude about someone to tell the people you are with that you do not mean to include them in the statement: Women are never satisfied with anything! Present company excepted, of course.

—see also: presently 2 /prI'zent/ verb (T)

1 GIVE to give something to someone, especially at a formal or official occasion: present sb with sth: David's manager presented him with the award for best sales in the region.

2 CAUSE STH TO HAPPEN to cause something to happen or exist: Slippery floors in the work area present a hazard to employees. | present sb with sth: His resignation presents us with a tricky situation. | present a problem/difficulty: This equation should present no problems if you know some basic trigonometry.

3 SHOW to offer or show information about something in a particular way: The movie presents its characters in a way that I find difficult to believe in. | Tobacco companies are trying to present a more favorable image.

4 A SPEECH to give a speech in which you offer an idea, plan etc to be considered or accepted: present sth to sb: The team is presenting its report to the board on Tuesday.

5 DOCUMENT/TICKET to show something such as an official document or ticket to someone in an official position: You must present your passport to the customs officer.

6 THEATRE/CINEMA to give a performance in a theatre, cinema, etc, or broadcast a programme on television or radio: This evening PBS presents the first of a six-part historical drama about the Civil War.

7 TELEVISION/RADIO BrE if you present a television or radio programme, you introduce its different parts: Tonight's edition of Newsnight, presented by Jeremy Paxman.

8 sth presents itself if a situation, opportunity etc presents itself, it suddenly happens or exists: As soon as the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to talk to Mr. Boyer about that job.

9 FORMALLY INTRODUCE SB to introduce someone formally, especially to someone of a very high rank: I was presented to the Queen in 1964.

10 present arms a command to soldiers to hold their weapons upright in front of their bodies as a greeting to a person of high rank

11 present your apologies/compliments etc formal used to greet someone, apologize to them etc very politely: Mrs. Gottlieb presents her apologies and regrets she will not be able to attend.

3 noun (C) something you give someone on a special occasion or to thank them for something; gift: One of my Japanese students gave me a beautiful fan as a present. | birthday/Christmas present: Christmas presents under the tree 4 noun (singular)

1 the time that we are experiencing now: You have to stop worrying about the past and start thinking about the present! | no time like the present (=used to say that if you are going to do something at all, you should do it now): “I was thinking of asking Maura to marry me.” “Do it! There's no time like the present!”

2 technical the form of a verb that shows what exists or is happening now

—see also: historic present

3 at present at this time; now: Ms. Hellman is busy at present, can she ring you later?

—see presently