From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpreside over something phrasal verb1 IN CHARGE OFto be in a position of authority at a time when important things are happening The government seemed to be presiding over large-scale unemployment.2 IN CHARGE OFto be the head of a company or organization Finch presided over the company for 30 years.3 IN CHARGE OFto be in charge of a meeting or activity The chairman will preside over an audience of architects and developers. → preside→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
preside over • Noel Edmonds presides over a launch party in London, but the demo machine doesn't function all that well.• After presiding over a string of humiliating scandals and embarrassing policy failures, they feel on top once again.• The witnesses at the hearing presided over by Rep.• Included has been everything from presiding over ceremonial events in Washington to making tours of flooded areas in the Midwest.• I was not paid to preside over disasters - however noble the cause.• After a celebrated review of federal affirmative action policies, Clinton has actually presided over glancingly little change.• Now he must study the times in which we live and the period in which he is to preside over the republic.• He is paid $ 148,400 a year to preside over what is the largest civilian agency in the executive branch. 