presentation

/prɛzənˈteɪʃɪn/

/prezənˈteɪʃən/

Other forms: presentations

The noun presentation means the official giving, or presenting, of something. The presentation of diplomas at a graduation ceremony is the part that makes many of the parents in the audience cry.

A presentation can be a ceremony of giving some gift or award, and it can also be a demonstration or show — like a dog training presentation at your local pet store. Another meaning of presentation is a style of displaying something — like the presentation of plants and flowers in the florist's window or the presentation of food on a buffet table. In the 1600s, presentation was commonly used to mean "show or play," as in "a theatrical presentation."

Definitions of presentation

1. noun

   the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
   “she gave the trophy but he made the presentation”

   type of:

   ceremony

   the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion
2. noun

   the act of presenting a proposal
   types:

   first reading

   the first presentation of a bill in a legislature

   second reading

   the second presentation of a bill in a legislature; to approve its general principles (Britain) or to discuss a committee's report and take a vote (US)

   type of:

   proposal, proposition

   the act of making a proposal
3. noun

   the act of making something publicly available; presenting news or other information by broadcasting or printing it
   “he prepared his presentation carefully in advance”

   types:

   unveiling

   putting on display for the first time

   production

   a presentation for the stage or screen or radio or television

   staging, theatrical production

   the production of a drama on the stage

   type of:

   display

   exhibiting openly in public view
4. noun

   formally making a person known to another or to the public
   synonyms: intro, introduction

   types:

   debut

   the presentation of a debutante in society

   reintroduction

   an act of renewed introduction

   type of:

   informing, making known

   a speech act that conveys information
5. noun

   a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view
   “the presentation of new data”

   synonyms: demonstration, presentment

   types:

   exhibition

   the act of exhibiting

   exposure

   presentation to view in an open or public manner

   performance

   the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment

   lecture demonstration

   presentation of an example of what the lecturer is discoursing about

   counterdemonstration

   a demonstration held in opposition to another demonstration

   dramatic performance, dramatic production

   the act of performing a drama

   encore

   an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand

   extemporisation, extemporization, improvisation

   a performance given extempore without planning or preparation

   juggle, juggling

   throwing and catching several objects simultaneously

   conjuration, conjuring trick, deception, illusion, legerdemain, magic, magic trick, thaumaturgy, trick

   an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers

   musical performance

   the act of performing music

   one-night stand

   a performance in one place on one night only

   interpretation, rendering, rendition

   the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance

   last hurrah, swan song

   a final performance or effort (especially before retirement)

   debunking, repudiation

   the exposure of falseness or pretensions

   production

   (law) the act of exhibiting in a court of law

   rodeo

   an exhibition of cowboy skills

   program, programme

   a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation

   reprise

   the act of performing a role again

   type of:

   show

   the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
6. noun

   a visual representation of something
   synonyms: display

   types:

   float

   an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade

   Snellen chart

   display consisting of a printed card with letters and numbers in lines of decreasing size; used to test visual acuity

   spectacle

   an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale

   bullfight, corrida

   a Spanish or Portuguese or Latin American spectacle; a matador baits and (usually) kills a bull in an arena before many spectators

   naumachia, naumachy

   a naval spectacle; a mock sea battle put on by the ancient Romans

   type of:

   representation

   a creation that is a visual or tangible rendering of someone or something
7. noun

   (obstetrics) position of the fetus in the uterus relative to the birth canal
   “Cesarean sections are sometimes the result of abnormal presentations”

   type of:

   attitude, position, posture

   the arrangement of the body and its limbs