adj
incumbent
ihn-KUHMBNT
adj
1
Currently holding an office or position.
"The incumbent mayor won re-election by a wide margin."
2
Required of someone because of their role or position.
"It is incumbent upon the CEO to keep shareholders informed."
noun
1
The person who currently holds an office or position.
"The challenger struggled to unseat the incumbent."
How to Use Incumbent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to whoever currently holds a position — often used in politics — or describes a duty that comes with a role.
Common pairings
incumbent president
incumbent upon
defeat the incumbent
Word Forms
more incumbent comparative, incumbents plural, most incumbent superlative
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The _____ mayor won re-election by a wide margin.
Etymology
From Latin incumbēns ("reclining, resting upon"), the present participle of incumbere, from in- plus a root meaning "to lie down."