Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal presentation or exhibition: The act of showing or displaying something to an audience or viewer.
   • A legal document or statement: An official document, such as a bill of exchange, that must be accepted or paid by another party.
   • A legal accusation: A formal charge or indictment made by a grand jury based on its own investigation, without a prosecutor's request.

Examples of Usage

• As a formal presentation:
  • The presentment of the annual report to the shareholders was very detailed.
  • Her presentment of the research findings was clear and compelling.
• As a legal/financial document:
  • The bank required presentment of the original draft for payment.
  • Upon presentment of the check, funds were transferred.
• As a legal accusation:
  • The grand jury issued a presentment against the official for misconduct.
  • A presentment is a rare legal procedure initiated by the jury itself.

Advanced Usage

• "Make a presentment": To formally present or exhibit something.
  • The artist will make a presentment of her new series at the gallery.
• "Upon presentment": A formal phrase used in legal or financial contexts meaning "when presented."
  • The bond is payable upon presentment to the treasurer.

Variants and Related Words

• Present (verb): To show or offer something for others to see or consider.
• Presentation (noun): The act of presenting or the manner in which something is presented. (Note: This is a more common general synonym for the "display" sense).
• Presenter (noun): A person who presents something.

Synonyms

• Demonstration: The action of showing the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence. (For the "display" sense).
• Exhibition: A public display of works of art or items of interest.
• Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. (For the legal accusation sense).
• Bill of exchange: A written order to pay a sum of money. (For the financial document sense).

Related Phrases

• Grand jury presentment: The specific legal procedure where a grand jury issues a formal accusation.
  • The corruption case began with a grand jury presentment.
• Presentment for payment: The act of presenting a negotiable instrument, like a check, to the party obligated to pay it.
  • The note specified it was due upon presentment for payment.

Notes on Meaning

• Legal vs. General Use: In everyday language, "presentment" is quite formal and often replaced by "presentation." Its most distinctive uses are in specialized legal and financial contexts.
• Historical Context: The legal procedure of a grand jury presentment, where jurors act on their own knowledge, is now less common than an indictment based on a prosecutor's information.

Noun

1. a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view
   • the presentation of new data
   • he gave the customer a demonstration
2. a document that must be accepted and paid by another person
3. an accusation of crime made by a grand jury on its own initiative