présider

to preside

verb preh-zee-DEH Rare

Also means

to chair

Usage Note

Présider is used with both à and a direct object: présider une réunion ('to chair a meeting') or présider à ('to govern, to be the dominant factor in') something. The construction présider aux destinées de ('to shape the destiny of') is a common literary or journalistic phrase. The related noun is président/présidente.

Examples

"Elle préside le comité depuis deux ans."

Natural Translation

She has chaired the committee for two years.

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