Someone's presence in a place is the fact that they are there.
They argued that his presence in the village could only stir up trouble. [+ in]
She received hundreds of emails and phone calls requesting her presence at companymeetings. [+ at]
Synonyms: being, existence, company, residence More Synonyms of presence
2. uncountable noun
If you say that someone has presence, you mean that they impress people by their appearance and manner.
[approval]
They do not seem to have the vast, authoritative presence of those great men.
Hendrix's stage presence appealed to thousands of teenage rebels.
Synonyms: personality, bearing, appearance, aspect More Synonyms of presence
3. countable noun
A presence is a person or creature that you cannot see, but that you are aware of.
[literary]
The forest was dark and silent, haunted by shadows and unseen presences.
She started to be affected by the ghostly presence she could feel in the house.
Synonyms: spirit, ghost, manifestation, spectre More Synonyms of presence
4. singular noun
If a country has a military presence in another country, it has some of its armed forces there.
London had intended to grant Aden independence in 1968 but retain a military presence.
5. uncountable noun [with poss]
If you refer to the presence of a substance in another thing, you mean that it is in that thing.
The somewhat acid flavour is caused by the presence of lactic acid. [+ of]
...the presence of a carcinogen in the water.
Although the fluid presents no symptoms to the patient, its presence can be detectedby a test.
Synonyms: proximity, closeness, vicinity, nearness More Synonyms of presence
6.
See make one's presence felt
7.
See in someone's presence
8.
See presence of mind
presence in British English
(ˈprɛzəns)
noun
1.
the state or fact of being present
2.
the immediate proximity of a person or thing
3.
personal appearance or bearing, esp of a dignified nature
4.
an imposing or dignified personality
5.
an invisible spirit felt to be nearby
6. electronics
a recording control that boosts mid-range frequencies
7.
(of a recording) a quality that gives the impression that the listener is in the presence of the original source of the sound
8. obsolete
assembly or company
9. obsolete short for presence chamber
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin praesentia a being before, from praeesse to be before, from prae before + esse to be
presence in American English
(ˈprɛzəns)
noun
1.
the fact or condition of being present; existence, occurrence, or attendance at some place or in some thing
2.
immediate surroundings, or vicinity within close view, of a person
admitted to his presence
3.
a person or thing that is present, esp. a person of high station or imposing appearance
4.
a.
a person's bearing, personality, or appearance
b.
impressive bearing, personality, etc. characterized by poise, confidence, etc., often specif. that of a performer before an audience (stage presence)
5.
an influence or a supernatural or divine spirit felt to be present
6.
the quality of sound reproduction with reference to the degree of the apparent reality of the sound
7. Archaic
people present; an assemblage
8. Obsolete
presence chamber
Word origin
OFr < L praesentia < praesens: see , present adjective
Examples of 'presence' in a sentence
presence
Such is his stage presence and energy that he could overwhelm many a supporting cast.
The Sun (2016)
And six out of ten said pets' presence seemed to speed physical recovery.
The Sun (2016)
She's a diminutive performer with a big stage presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I feel his presence in the house.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I still feel the presence of my dad, Rob.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The second is that my records reflect other things than the presence of birds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is usually a strong presence at company outings from the senior management team.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To fulfil visa requirements each visitor must have a sponsor responsible for their presence in this country.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We can understand this by thinking about speaking in the presence of another person.
Christianity Today (2000)
The interior light suggests an unseen presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He filled a room with his personality and presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
His mere presence seems to wind people up.
The Sun (2008)
What she lacks yet is stage presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was there if he felt his presence would change things.
The Sun (2014)
Barely any other country has a presence in this stadium.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
People close to the negotiations said that the company was considering how much of a presence could be maintained.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In their presence you feel enlarged.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In person, he has both an imposing and approachable presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He remains a ghostly presence in the movie, made manifest only as the final credits roll.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
The presence of the company puts the Government in an awkward position.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Federal law prohibits a person 's presence on the boards of two companies that are direct rivals.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It didn't take much insight to realise that his was a profoundly troubled presence in our house.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Does it make you feel good to plead for his affection, his attention or his presence in the house?
The Sun (2008)
Let me feel your presence.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
A quiet and courteous presence, his manner was invariably encouraging.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was his size which took one's breath away - his size and his imposing presence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He then took it to various governments and agencies, passing it off as a machine that could be used to sense the presence of nearby explosives.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
presence
British English: presence /ˈprɛzəns/ NOUN
Someone's presence in a place is the fact that they are there.
His presence in the village led to trouble.
American English: presence
Arabic: حُضُور
Brazilian Portuguese: presença
Chinese: 出席
Croatian: prisutnost
Czech: přítomnost v místě
Danish: nærværelse
Dutch: aanwezigheid
European Spanish: presencia
Finnish: läsnäolo
French: présence
German: Anwesenheit
Greek: παρουσία
Italian: presenza
Japanese: 存在
Korean: 존재
Norwegian: tilstedeværelse
Polish: obecność fakt istnienia
European Portuguese: presença
Romanian: prezență
Russian: присутствие
Latin American Spanish: presencia
Swedish: närvaro
Thai: การอยู่ในสถานที่หนึ่ง
Turkish: varlık
Ukrainian: присутність
Vietnamese: sự có mặt
All related terms of 'presence'
real presence
the doctrine that the body of Christ is actually present in the Eucharist
police presence
the presence of police officers, esp in public places
presence chamber
the room in which a great person, such as a monarch , receives guests , assemblies , etc
presence of mind
If you say that someone had the presence of mind to do something, you approve of them because they were able to think and act calmly in a difficult situation.
in someone's presence
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 .
make one's presence felt
If you make your presence felt , you do something which makes people notice you or pay attention to you.
Chinese translation of 'presence'
presence
(ˈprɛzns)
n
(u) (= existence, attendance) 到场(場) (dàochǎng)
(u) (fig, = personality) 风(風)度 (fēngdù)
(c) (= spirit, invisible influence) 存在 (cúnzài)
in sb's presence当(當)着(著)某人的面 (dāngzhe mǒurén de miàn)
to make one's presence felt让(讓)人感到自身的存在 (ràng rén gǎndào zìshēn de cúnzài)
1 (noun)
Definition
the fact of being in a specified place
His presence in the village could only stir up trouble.the presence of a carcinogen in the water
Synonyms
being
The music seemed to touch his very being.
existence
Public worries about accidents are threatening the very existence of the nuclear power industry.
company
I would be grateful for your company on the drive back.
residence
attendance
Her attendance at school was sporadic.
showing up
companionship
occupancy
Prices given are for a single occupancy of a standard room.
habitation
20 percent of private-rented dwellings are unfit for human habitation.
inhabitance
2 (noun)
Definition
the company or nearness of a person
conscious of being in the presence of a great man
Synonyms
proximity
families living in close proximity to one another
closeness
the closeness of the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong
vicinity
nearness
The nearness of the house to the station is an added bonus.
neighbourhood
the loss of woodlands in the neighbourhood of large towns
immediate circle
propinquity
With the holiday romance, propinquity is all.
3 (noun)
Definition
impressive personal appearance or bearing
Hendrix's stage presence appealed to thousands of teenage rebels.
Synonyms
personality
bearing
She later wrote warmly of his bearing and behaviour.
appearance
He had the appearance of a college student.
aspect
The snowy tree assumed a lifeless aspect.
air
The meal gave the occasion an almost festive air.
ease
carriage
Her voice is cultured and her carriage is regal.
aura
poise
It took a moment for Mark to recover his poise.
demeanour
He was nicknamed ‘the Sergeant Major’ for his military demeanour.
self-assurance
mien (literary)
his mild manner and aristocratic mien
comportment
4 (noun)
Definition
an invisible spirit felt to be nearby
The house was haunted by shadows and unseen presences.
Synonyms
spirit
Do you believe in the existence of evil spirits?
ghost
The village is said to be haunted by ghosts.
manifestation
spectre
His spectre is said to walk the castle battlements.
apparition
She recognized one of the women as the apparition she had seen.
shade (literary)
His writing benefits from the shade of Lincoln hovering over his shoulder.
wraith
She believed herself to have been visited by wraiths from the afterlife.
supernatural being
revenant
eidolon
atua (New Zealand)
wairua (New Zealand)
idiom
See presence of mind
Additional synonyms
in the sense of air
Definition
a distinctive quality, appearance, or manner
The meal gave the occasion an almost festive air.
Synonyms
manner,
feeling,
effect,
style,
quality,
character,
bearing,
appearance,
look,
aspect,
atmosphere,
tone,
mood,
impression,
flavour,
aura,
ambience,
demeanour,
vibe (slang)
in the sense of apparition
Definition
a ghost or ghostlike figure
She recognized one of the women as the apparition she had seen.
Synonyms
ghost,
spirit,
shade (literary),
phantom,
spectre,
spook (informal),
wraith,
chimera,
revenant,
visitant,
eidolon,
atua (New Zealand),
kehua (New Zealand)
in the sense of appearance
Definition
the way a person or thing looks
He had the appearance of a college student.
Synonyms
look,
face,
form,
air,
figure,
image,
looks,
bearing,
aspect,
manner,
expression,
demeanour,
mien (literary)
Synonyms of 'presence'
presence
Explore 'presence' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aspect
Definition
appearance or look
The snowy tree assumed a lifeless aspect.
Synonyms
appearance,
look,
air,
condition,
quality,
bearing,
attitude,
cast,
manner,
expression,
countenance (literary),
demeanour,
mien (literary)
in the sense of attendance
Definition
the act of attending
Her attendance at school was sporadic.
Synonyms
presence,
being there,
attending,
appearance
in the sense of bearing
Definition
a person's general social conduct
She later wrote warmly of his bearing and behaviour.
Synonyms
manner,
attitude,
conduct,
appearance,
aspect,
presence,
behaviour,
tone,
carriage,
posture,
demeanour,
deportment,
mien (literary),
air,
comportment
in the sense of carriage
Definition
the way a person holds and moves his or her head and body
Her voice is cultured and her carriage is regal.
Synonyms
bearing,
posture,
gait,
deportment,
air
in the sense of closeness
the closeness of the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong
Synonyms
nearness,
proximity,
handiness,
adjacency
in the sense of company
Definition
the fact of being with someone
I would be grateful for your company on the drive back.
Synonyms
companionship,
society (old-fashioned),
presence,
fellowship
in the sense of demeanour
He was nicknamed ‘the Sergeant Major’ for his military demeanour.
Synonyms
bearing,
air,
manner,
carriage,
deportment,
mien (literary),
comportment
in the sense of existence
Definition
the fact or state of being real, live, or actual
Public worries about accidents are threatening the very existence of the nuclear power industry.
Synonyms
reality,
being,
life,
survival,
duration,
endurance,
continuation,
subsistence,
actuality,
continuance
in the sense of ghost
Definition
the disembodied spirit of a dead person, supposed to haunt the living
The village is said to be haunted by ghosts.
Synonyms
spirit,
soul,
phantom,
spectre,
spook (informal),
manes,
apparition,
wraith,
shade (literary),
revenant,
phantasm,
eidolon,
atua (New Zealand),
kehua (New Zealand),
wairua (New Zealand)
in the sense of habitation
Definition
occupation of a dwelling place
20 percent of private-rented dwellings are unfit for human habitation.
Synonyms
occupation,
living in,
residence,
tenancy,
occupancy,
residency,
inhabitance,
inhabitancy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mien
Definition
a person's manner, bearing, or appearance
his mild manner and aristocratic mien
Synonyms
demeanour,
look,
air,
bearing,
appearance,
aspect,
presence,
manner,
carriage,
aura,
countenance (literary),
deportment
in the sense of nearness
The nearness of the house to the station is an added bonus.
Synonyms
closeness,
proximity,
juxtaposition,
contiguity,
availability,
vicinity,
accessibility,
propinquity,
handiness
in the sense of neighbourhood
Definition
the immediate environment
the loss of woodlands in the neighbourhood of large towns
Synonyms
vicinity,
confines,
proximity,
precincts,
environs,
purlieus
in the sense of occupancy
Definition
the period of time during which one is an occupant of a property
Prices given are for a single occupancy of a standard room.
Synonyms
occupation,
use,
residence,
holding,
term,
possession,
tenure,
tenancy,
habitation,
inhabitancy
in the sense of poise
Definition
mental balance
It took a moment for Mark to recover his poise.
Synonyms
composure,
cool (slang),
presence,
assurance,
dignity,
equilibrium,
serenity,
coolness,
aplomb,
calmness,
equanimity,
presence of mind,
sang-froid,
savoir-faire,
self-possession
in the sense of propinquity
Definition
nearness in time, place, or relationship
With the holiday romance, propinquity is all.
Synonyms
nearness,
neighbourhood,
proximity,
closeness,
vicinity,
contiguity,
adjacency
in the sense of shade
Definition
a ghost
His writing benefits from the shade of Lincoln hovering over his shoulder.
Synonyms
ghost,
spirit,
shadow,
phantom,
spectre,
manes,
apparition,
eidolon,
kehua (New Zealand)
in the sense of spectre
Definition
a ghost
His spectre is said to walk the castle battlements.
Synonyms
ghost,
spirit,
phantom,
presence,
vision,
shadow,
shade (literary),
apparition,
wraith,
eidolon,
kehua (New Zealand)
in the sense of vicinity
Synonyms
proximity,
propinquity
in the sense of wraith
Definition
a ghost
She believed herself to have been visited by wraiths from the afterlife.