Definition

1. Noun:
   • The office, position, or function of a president: The presidency is the highest executive office in a government, company, or organization, along with its associated duties and authority.
   • The period during which a president holds office; a president's term: The presidency refers to the length of time a particular person serves as president.
   • (Historical, India) A major administrative division under British rule: In historical context, a presidency was one of the three primary provinces of British India (e.g., Bengal Presidency).

Examples of Usage

• Referring to the office/position:

  • She aspired to the presidency of the university. (She aimed to become the president of the university.)
  • The powers of the American presidency are defined by the Constitution. (The Constitution outlines the authority of the U.S. president's office.)

• Referring to the period/term:

  • Tax reforms were introduced during his presidency. (Tax reforms were implemented while he was president.)
  • The country experienced economic growth throughout her presidency. (The economy grew for the entire duration she was president.)

• Historical usage:

  • The Madras Presidency was a significant administrative region in colonial India. (Madras was an important province under British rule in India.)

Advanced Usage

• "Assume the presidency": to formally take on the role and duties of president.

  • He will assume the presidency next January. (He will become president next January.)

• "A candidate for the presidency": a person who is running to be elected president.

  • Several candidates for the presidency participated in the debate. (Several people running for president took part in the debate.)

Variants and Related Words

• President (n): the person who holds the office of the presidency.

  • The president addressed the nation. (The leader gave a speech to the country.)

• Presidential (adj): relating to a president or the presidency.

  • The election is for the presidential office. (The vote is to choose the next president.)

Synonyms

• Administration: often used synonymously with "presidency" when referring to the period a president is in power, especially in U.S. context (e.g., the Obama administration).
• Term of office: the period during which an official, like a president, holds their position.
• Executive office: the top leadership position in an executive branch of government.

Related Phrases

• Run for the presidency: to campaign to be elected president.

  • She decided to run for the presidency. (She chose to become a candidate for president.)

• Succeed to the presidency: to become president after the previous one leaves, often without a direct election (e.g., a vice president succeeding after a president's death).

  • The Vice President succeeded to the presidency following the assassination. (The Vice President became president after the president was killed.)

Noun

1. the office and function of president
   • Andrew Jackson expanded the power of the presidency beyond what was customary before his time
2. the tenure of a president
   • things were quiet during the Eisenhower administration