When Was the Term President First Used

The first usage of the word president to denote the highest official in a government was during the Commonwealth of England. After the abolition of the monarchy the English Council of State, whose members were elected by the House of Commons, became the executive government of the Commonwealth.

When did the word president?

In 1774, the presiding officer of the Continental Congress was also called “president,” but it was very much a ceremonial title. So Article Two of the Constitution gave the word “president” a whole new meaning.

What is the origin of the word president?

From Old French president, from Latin praesidēns (“presiding over; president, leader”) (accusative: praesidentem). The Latin word is the substantivized present active participle of the verb praesideō (“preside over”). The verb is composed from prae (“before”) and sedeō (“sit”).