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incumbent — a person who holds a particular office or position

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person who holds a particular office or position

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/

Example Sentences

  • The incumbent governor lost the election to a young challenger who promised free pizza for everyone.
  • It is incumbent upon students to actually attend class, not just watch Netflix.
  • The incumbent CEO announced new policies to improve workplace culture.

incumbent

NOUN

[/ɪnˈkʌmbənt/]

a person who holds a particular office or position

While the anxious challenger sweated at the podium, the relaxed incumbent comfortably sat in the mayor's chair.
💡 Concept

While the anxious challenger sweated at the podium, the relaxed incumbent comfortably sat in the mayor's chair.

IN(inside) + CUMB(lie down) + ENT(person) — acting as the person(ENT) who can freely lie down(CUMB) inside(IN) the office, he proved he was the true incumbent.
🧠 Mnemonic

IN(inside) + CUMB(lie down) + ENT(person) — acting as the person(ENT) who can freely lie down(CUMB) inside(IN) the office, he proved he was the true incumbent.

Leaving his cheap backpack behind, the bright student officially took the desk as the powerful incumbent.
🎵 Rhyme

Leaving his cheap backpack behind, the bright student officially took the desk as the powerful incumbent.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪnˈkʌmbənt/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪnˈkʌmbənt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixin--
Rootcumb
Suffix--ent

Origin

From Latin 'incumbere,' meaning 'to lie upon' or 'to occupy,' composed of 'in-' (upon) and 'cumbere' (to lie). The word entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to a person holding an ecclesiastical office, later extending to any official position.

Breakdown

in- (upon/in) + cumbent (lying/occupying, from Latin cumbere) = incumbent (one who occupies a position)

🎵Rhyme

recumbent
decumbent

🔗Collocations

incumbent president
incumbent advantage
incumbent upon
defeat the incumbent
incumbent mayor

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The incumbent governor lost the election to a young challenger who promised free pizza for everyone.”

😄 Fun example

“It is incumbent upon students to actually attend class, not just watch Netflix.”

“The incumbent CEO announced new policies to improve workplace culture.”

😄 Fun example

“As team leader, it's incumbent upon me to make sure everyone gets coffee breaks.”

📚Related Words

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