incumbent
incumbent Lexical Profile
incumbent Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Currently holding an official position, post, or office.
"The incumbent governor is seeking re-election for a third consecutive term."
Necessary for someone as a duty or responsibility; morally or legally obligatory.
"It is incumbent upon every citizen to stay informed about local civic issues."
Lying, leaning, or resting upon something else (used especially in geology and botany).
"The lower rock strata were compressed beneath the weight of the incumbent layers."
• noun
The current holder of an official post or political office, especially in relation to an election.
"In most congressional districts, the incumbent enjoys a significant fundraising advantage over challengers."
British A member of the clergy who holds a church benefice or parish living.
"The historic vicarage has served as the residence of the parish incumbent for over two centuries."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used in the sense of moral duty or obligation, the adjective 'incumbent' is almost exclusively used predicatively and followed by the prepositions 'on' or 'upon' (e.g., 'It is incumbent upon us to act').
• Rhymes for incumbent
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French and Latin 'incumbentem', the present participle of 'incumbere', meaning 'to lean or lie upon' (from 'in-' meaning 'upon' + '-cumbere' meaning 'to lie down'). It originally referred in church law to the holder of an ecclesiastical benefice before broadening to political officeholders and moral obligations.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.