1. Temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing, happening or in consideration
   "the present topic"; "the present system"; "present observations"; "the present leader"; "articles for present use"
    
2. Being or existing in a specified place
   "present at the creation"; "the murderer is present in this room"; "present at the wedding"

1. Tell or show, often with explanation and alternatives
   "We presented the arguments to him";
   - represent, lay out
    
2. Give an exhibition of to an interested audience
   "She presents her dogs frequently";
   - show, demo, exhibit, demonstrate, showcase
    
3. (performing arts) perform (a play), especially on a stage
   "we are going to present 'Othello'";
   - stage, represent
    
4. Hand over formally
   "The diplomat presented his credentials to the foreign minister";
   - submit
    
5. (of a question, problem, etc) ask, set or introduce
   "This presents an interesting question";
   - pose
    
6. Give as a present; make a gift of
   "What will you present her for her birthday?";
   - give, gift
    
7. Give, especially as an honour or reward
   "The university presented him with an honorary degree";
   - award
    
8. Express clearly or formally in words
   "The commencement speaker presented a forceful speech that impressed the students";
   - deliver
    
9. Cause to come to know personally
   "present the new neighbours to the community";
   - introduce, acquaint
    
10. Represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
    "The father is presented as a good-looking man in this painting";
    - portray
     
11. Show something to somebody, usually to accuse or criticize
    "We presented him with the evidence";
    - confront, face
     
12. Formally introduce a debutante, a representative of a country, etc.
    "The ambassador was presented to the Queen"
     
13. Recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position
    "The soldier presented arms as the officer passed";
    - salute

1. The period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
   "that is enough for the present"; "he lives in the present with no thought of tomorrow";
   - nowadays
    
2. Something presented as a gift
   "his tie was a present from his wife";
   - pressie [Brit, informal], prezzie [Brit, informal]
    
3. A verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking
   "I am writing this sentence in the present tense";
   - present tense

Derived forms: presents, presented, presenting

See also: all-pervading, all-pervasive, attendant, ever-present, existing, here, immediate, inst, instant, latter-day, naturally occurring, omnipresent, presence, timing, ubiquitous

Type of: act, allocate, apportion, be, comprise, constitute, gift, give, greet, inform, interpret, make up, mouth, move, recognise [Brit], recognize, recreate, re-create, represent, say, show, speak, state, talk, tell, tense, time, utter, verbalise [Brit], verbalize

Antonym: absent, future, past

Encyclopedia: Present