Definition

Noun: 1. A permanent executive committee, especially in a socialist political system: A presidium is a standing governing body that exercises the full powers of a larger legislative assembly (like a parliament or supreme soviet) when that larger body is not in session. It acts on behalf of and represents the will of the full legislative body.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The presidium convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis.
  • Decisions were ratified by the Supreme Soviet presidium.
  • He served as a member of the national presidium for over a decade.

Advanced Usage

• The Presidium (Proper Noun): Often capitalized when referring to a specific, historically significant body, most notably in the former Soviet Union.
  • The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was the highest state body in the USSR between legislative sessions.

Variants and Related Words

• Praesidium: An alternative, chiefly British, spelling of "presidium."
• Presidential (adj): Relating to a president or presidency (shares the Latin root , meaning "to preside").

Synonyms

• Executive committee
• Standing committee
• Bureau (in a political context)
• Governing board

Antonyms

• Plenary session (a meeting of the full legislative body)
• General assembly

Related Phrases

• To sit on the presidium: To be a member of the presidium.
  • Several senior ministers sat on the presidium.
• Presidium member: A specific member of this committee.
  • The statement was issued by a presidium member.

Noun

1. a permanent executive committee in socialist countries that has all the powers of some larger legislative body and that acts for it when it is not in session