incumbent
pronunciation
How to pronounce incumbent in British English:
UK [ɪnˈkʌmbənt]
How to pronounce incumbent in American English:
US [ɪnˈkʌmbənt]
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- Noun:
- the official who holds an office
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- Adjective:
- lying or leaning on something else
- currently holding an office
Word Origin
- incumbent (n.)
- early 15c., "person holding a church position," from Medieval Latin incumbentem (nominative incumbens) "holder of a church position," noun use of present participle of incumbere "to obtain or possess," from Latin incumbere "recline on," figuratively "apply oneself to," from in- "on" (see in- (2)) + -cumbere "lie down," related to cubare "to lie" (see cubicle). Extended to holders of any office from 1670s.
- incumbent (adj.)
- 1560s, in relation to duties or obligations, from Latin incumbentem (nominative incumbens), present participle of incumbere (see incumbent (n.)). The literal, physical sense is rare in English and first attested 1620s.
Example
- 1. In a presidential election the incumbent enjoys many advantages .
- 2. But even the strongest incumbent is vulnerable to competition .
- 3. Here the incumbent has some obvious advantages .
- 4. It is incumbent upon beijing to help push pyongyang in that direction .
- 5. The next incumbent will be the person who really defines the role .