5 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] If you refer to the presence of a substance in another thing, you mean that it is in that thing. □ [+ of ] The somewhat acid flavour is caused by the presence of lactic acid.
6 PHRASE If you are in someone's presence , you are in the same place as that person, and are close enough to them to be seen or heard. □ The talks took place in the presence of a diplomatic observer.
present
➊ EXISTING OR HAPPENING NOW
➋ BEING SOMEWHERE
➌ GIFT
➍ VERB USES
➊ pres|ent ◆◆◇ /pre z ə nt/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use present to describe things and people that exist now, rather than those that existed in the past or those that may exist in the future. □ He has brought much of the present crisis on himself. □ It has been skilfully renovated by the present owners. □ No statement can be made at the present time.
2 N‑SING The present is the period of time that we are in now and the things that are happening now. □ …his struggle to reconcile the past with the present. □ …continuing right up to the present. □ Then her thoughts would switch to the present.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, the present tenses of a verb are the ones that are used to talk about things that happen regularly or situations that exist at this time. The simple present tense uses the base form or the 's' form of a verb, as in 'I play tennis twice a week' and 'He works in a bank'.
4 PHRASE A situation that exists at present exists now, although it may change. □ There is no way at present of predicting which individuals will develop the disease. □ At present children under 14 are not permitted in bars.
5 PHRASE The present day is the period of history that we are in now. □ …Western European art from the period of Giotto to the present day.
6 PHRASE Something that exists or will be done for the present exists now or will continue for a while, although the situation may change later. □ For the present at least, they appeared to be safe.
➋ pres|ent ◆◆◇ /pre z ə nt/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is present at an event, they are there. □ [+ at ] The president was not present at the meeting. □ [+ at ] Nearly 85 per cent of men are present at the birth of their children. □ The whole family was present.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something, especially a substance or disease, is present in something else, it exists within that thing. □ [+ in ] This special form of vitamin D is naturally present in breast milk.
➌ pres|ent /pre z ə nt/ (presents ) N‑COUNT A present is something that you give to someone, for example at Christmas or when you visit them. □ [+ from ] The carpet was a wedding present from the Prime Minister. □ [+ for ] I bought a birthday present for my mother. □ This book would make a great Christmas present.
➍ pre|sent ◆◆◇ /pr I ze nt/ (presents , presenting , presented )
1 VERB If you present someone with something such as a prize or document, or if you present it to them, you formally give it to them. □ [V n + with ] The mayor presented him with a gold medal at an official city reception. □ [V n] The Prime Minister presented the prizes. □ [V n + to ] The group intended to present this petition to the parliament. ● pres|en|ta|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Then came the presentation of the awards by the Duke.
2 VERB If something presents a difficulty, challenge, or opportunity, it causes it or provides it. □ [V n] This presents a problem for many financial consumers. □ [V n + with ] Public policy on the family presents liberals with a dilemma. [Also V n to n]
3 VERB If an opportunity or problem presents itself , it occurs, often when you do not expect it. □ [V pron-refl] Their colleagues insulted them whenever the opportunity presented itself.
4 VERB When you present information, you give it to people in a formal way. □ [V n] We spend the time collating and presenting the information in a variety of chart forms. □ [V n + to ] We presented three options to the unions for discussion. □ [V n + with ] In effect, Parsons presents us with a beguilingly simple outline of social evolution. ● pres|en|ta|tion (presentations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …a fair presentation of the facts to a jury.
5 VERB If you present someone or something in a particular way, you describe them in that way. □ [V n + as ] The government has presented these changes as major reforms. □ [V n + in ] In Europe, Aga Khan III presented himself in a completely different light.
6 VERB The way you present yourself is the way you speak and act when meeting new people. □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] …all those tricks which would help him to present himself in a more confident way in public.
7 VERB If someone or something presents a particular appearance or image, that is how they appear or try to appear. □ [V n] The small group of onlookers presented a pathetic sight. □ [V n] In presenting a more professional image the party risks losing its individuality. □ [V n + to ] …presenting a calm and dignified face to the world at large.
8 VERB If you present yourself somewhere, you officially arrive there, for example for an appointment. □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] She was told to present herself at the Town Hall at 11.30 for the induction ceremony.