Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
pre·side
\\pri-ˈzīd\\ intransitive verb
(pre·sid·ed ; pre·sid·ing) ETYMOLOGY Latin praesidēre to guard, preside over, from prae- + sedēre to sit — more at sit
DATE 1608
1. to exercise guidance, direction, or control2.
a. to occupy the place of authority : act as president, chairman, or moderator
b. to occupy a position similar to that of a president or chairman3. to occupy a position of featured instrumental performer — usually used with
at
presided at the organ
•
pre·sid·er noun preside
1611, from Fr. présider "preside over, govern" (15c.), from L. præsidere "stand guard, superintend," lit. "sit in front of," from præ- "before" + sedere "to sit" (see sedentary).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
preside
pre·side / pri5zaid / verb [V]
~ (at / over sth) to lead or be in charge of a meeting, ceremony, etc.
主持(会议、仪式等);担任(会议)主席:
the presiding judge
首席法官
They asked if I would preside at the committee meeting.
他们问我是否会主持委员会会议。
(figurative) The party presided over one of the worst economic declines in the country's history (= it was in power when the decline happened).
该党执政时期,国家经历了历史上最严重的经济衰退。
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
pre·side
\prēˈzīd, prə̇ˈ-\
verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Latin
praesidēre to guard, preside over, from
prae- pre- +
sedēre to sit — more at
sit
intransitive verb1.
a. : to occupy the place of authority (as in an assembly)
: act as president, chairman, or moderator (as of a group or meeting)
: direct, control, or regulate proceedings as chief officer
< the mayor presides in council meetings — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray >
< the chief justice presides over the supreme court >
< preside at a public meeting >
b. : to occupy a similar position or perform similar duties
< preside over a funeral service >
< preside over a literary salon >
< preside at tea >2. : to exercise superintendence, guidance, direction, or control
< called to preside over her son's bereft family — R.K.Leavitt >
< presided over one of the … forges in the blacksmith shop — Ben Riker >
< preside over a radio program >3. : to occupy the most conspicuous position
: sit or reign supreme
< gently rugged country presided over by … mountains — R.W.Hatch >
< an 18th century tallboy in … the hall where it presides in silent majesty — H.J.Laski >4. : to occupy the position of chief or featured instrumental performer originally as director of a group of musicians — used with
at
< preside at the organ >transitive verb: to exercise control or superintendence over
: direct
,
rule
< those that were to preside the naval affairs — Thomas Manley >