incumbent

noun
UK: /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/
US: /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/

  1. The person currently holding a particular office or position.

    1. The incumbent is running for reelection next year.
    2. The incumbent president faces a tough challenge from the opposition.

Synonyms

present sitting current
incumbent adjective

  1. Currently holding a particular office or position.

    1. The incumbent government has been in power for five years.
    2. The incumbent mayor is popular, making it difficult to defeat them.

  2. Necessary for someone as a duty or responsibility.

    1. It is incumbent upon all of us to protect the environment.
    2. The company feels it incumbent to support local charities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "incumbent" is /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ in British English and /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "incumbent": present, sitting, current.

Example usage of "incumbent": "The incumbent is running for reelection next year.". More examples on the page.