incumbent

10 definitions • 11 examples

officially having the named position:

The incumbent president faces problems which began many years before he took office.

to be necessary for someone:

be incumbent on/upon someone to do something She felt it was incumbent upon/on her to raise the subject at their meeting.

the person who has or had a particular official position:

the first/last/previous incumbent

present incumbent (of) The present incumbent (of the post) is due to retire next month.

(referring to the present time) a person who has a particular office or position, esp. an elected one:

Senator Smith, the incumbent, faces a tough fight for reelection next year.

necessary:

[ + to infinitive ] It is incumbent upon (= necessary for) all of us to create a safe community.

a person or business that holds a particular position in a company, market, industry, etc. at the present time:

The incumbent has been awarded the airline's new advertising contract, despite stiff competition from other agencies.

the person who holds a particular elected position at the present time:

Three new mayoral candidates intend to challenge the incumbent.

holding a particular position in a company, industry, etc. at the present time:

the incumbent management/director/supplier

holding a particular elected position at the present time:

the incumbent mayor/president/vice-president

someone has a duty or responsibility to do something:

"I think it is incumbent on us to provide a good environment for business," he said.