Present Meaning

UK /ˈprɛzənt/
US /ˈprɛzənt/
Word Definition
present meaning

Present Definition & Usage

noun

A thing given to someone as a gift, typically on a special occasion.

Examples

  • "She received a beautiful necklace as a present for her birthday."
  • "They gave me a book as a present for Christmas."
  • "The children eagerly unwrapped their presents on Christmas morning."
  • "I bought a small present for my friend's wedding."
  • "His parents always give him expensive presents for his achievements."
verb

To give something to someone as a gift or an offering.

Examples

  • "They decided to present the award to the winner during the ceremony."
  • "She presented a bouquet of flowers to her mother on Mother's Day."
  • "The company will present its new product at the conference next week."
  • "I presented my idea to the board members yesterday."
  • "He was proud to present his research at the international conference."
adjective

Existing or occurring at this moment in time.

Examples

  • "The present situation requires immediate attention."
  • "In the present context, we must consider all available options."
  • "The present time is crucial for making decisions about the future."
  • "She lives in the present and doesn’t dwell on the past."
  • "The present generation is more tech-savvy than previous ones."
noun

An occurrence or happening in the current time.

Examples

  • "The present is full of opportunities for those who are open-minded."
  • "In the present, we face many challenges due to climate change."
  • "At present, there are no immediate plans for the project."
  • "The present moment is all we can truly control."
  • "They are focusing on the present rather than worrying about the past."

Cultural Context

The word 'present' comes from Latin 'praesentem', meaning 'at hand' or 'in front of'. Over time, it evolved to represent both tangible gifts and abstract concepts related to time and current occurrences. It has a rich presence in both social and philosophical contexts.

The Present Moment

Story

The Present Moment

It was the day of the big presentation. Jason had been preparing for weeks, rehearsing his speech, and practicing his slides. As he stood backstage, he felt the familiar flutter of nerves. This wasn’t just any presentation; it was an opportunity of a lifetime. The CEO of the company, Mrs. Taylor, was going to be there, and so was a panel of investors who could change the course of the business. Everything depended on what he did in the next few hours. Just as he was about to step onto the stage, his colleague Anna handed him a small, beautifully wrapped box. 'A little present from all of us to wish you good luck,' she said with a smile. Jason laughed, touched by the gesture, and thanked her before taking the gift. Inside was a lucky charm, a small figurine that he’d always kept in his office. 'It’s to remind you to stay in the present moment,' Anna added. Later that evening, after delivering a successful presentation and receiving praise from the panel, Jason sat alone in the hotel lobby, reflecting on everything that had happened. The present situation was incredible—he had just secured a major deal for the company, and his career was about to take off. He thought about how often he had gotten caught up in worrying about the future or regretting past mistakes, but tonight, everything felt just right. As he gazed out the window, watching the city lights twinkle, Jason realized that the present was truly all he could control. And for the first time in a long time, he felt at peace with it.

The Present Moment