Incumbent

/ɪnˈkʌmb(ə)nt/ · adjective

Meaning

Chiefly followed by on or upon: leaning, or lying, reclining, or resting, on something else..

Definitions by Sense

1. Chiefly followed by on or upon: leaning, or lying, reclining, or resting, on something else.
2. Being the current holder of an office or a title; specifically (Christianity, obsolete), of an ecclesiastical benefice.
3. Oppressive, pressuring.
4. Followed by on or upon: imposed on one as an obligation, especially due to one's office or position.
5. Hanging or leaning over.
6. Putting much effort into an activity or some work.
7. Weighing on one's mind.
8. The current holder of an office or title; (specifically, Christianity) the holder of an ecclesiastical benefice.

Example Sentences

[I]f the great Doore, be Arched, vvith ſome braue Head, cut in fine Stone or Marble for the Key of the Arch, and tvvo Incumbent Figures gracefully leaning vpon it, tovvards one another, as if they meant to conferre; I ſhould thinke this a ſufficient entertainement, for the firſt Reception, of any Iudicious Sight, […]

[U]pon the tops of high Mountains, the Air vvhich bears againſt the reſtagnant Quick-ſilver, is leſs preſſ'd by the leſs ponderous incumbent Air; and conſequently is not able totally to hinder the deſcent of ſo tall and heavy a Cylinder of Quick-ſilver, as at the bottom of ſuch Mountains did but maintain an Æquilibrium vvith the incumbent Atmoſphere.

Then with expanded wings he ſtears his flight / Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air / That felt unuſual weight, […]

Here, as ’tis ſaid, the Rebel Giants lye, / And vvhen to move th’incumbent Load they try, / Aſcending Vapours on the Day prevail, / The Sun looks ſickly, and the Skie grovv pale.

And, rising from his incumbent posture, he sought to force the end of the weed [a cigar] between the teeth of the dog.

If the incumbent senator dies, he is replaced by a person appointed by the governor.

But whether parishes,—as usually understood for places bounded in regard of the profits from the people therein, payable only to a pastor incumbent there;—I say, whether such parishes were extant in this age, may well be questioned, as inconsistent with the community of ecclesiastic profits, which then seemed jointly enjoyed by the bishop and his clergy.

Analysts said that, while China sought to wield political influence in Vancouver, whatever role it played was unlikely to have swung the vote. ¶ Kennedy Stewart, the incumbent mayor and Mr. [Ken] Sim's left-wing rival, agreed. "Chinese interference isn't the primary reason I lost," he said. "But it may have been a contributing factor." He received 29 percent of the vote to Mr. Sim's 51 percent.

Synonyms for incumbent

Antonyms for incumbent

Related Words

Word Forms

• more incumbent
• most incumbent
• incumbents

Usage Notes

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