Presiders

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who lead or oversee a meeting or event
2. Persons who hold authority in a gathering, often directing discussions
3. Officials responsible for maintaining order and facilitating decisions in formal assemblies

Etymology: "Presiders" is simply the plural of "presider," a person who presides over a meeting, assembly or ceremony. The singular is formed from "preside" with the agentive suffix "-er," meaning one who performs the action. So a presider is, literally, one who presides. The verb "preside" traces back to the Latin "praesidere," built from "prae," meaning "before," and "sedere," meaning "to sit." To preside was therefore originally to sit in front, or to sit in a position of authority over others. That physical image of a seat at the head of a gathering is what the word still carries when we speak of someone presiding over a meeting.

Synonyms: leaders, chairs, moderators, directors, conductors