- 1a thing that you give to someone as a gift birthday/Christmas/wedding, etc. presents What can I get him for a birthday present?
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2the present [singular] the time now You've got to forget the past and start living in the present. I'm sorry, he's not here at present (= now).
- 3the present [singular] (grammar) = present tense Idioms
for now; for a short time This house is big enough for the moment, but we'll have to move if we have children.
now is the best time to do something, not in the future
Check pronunciation: present