incumbent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the official who holds an office
    officeholder.
  2. adjective satellite lying or leaning on something else
    • an incumbent geological formation
  3. adjective satellite necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
    • it is incumbent on them to pay their own debts
  4. adjective satellite currently holding an office
    • the incumbent governor

WordNet

In*cum"bent adjective
Etymology
L. incumbens, -entis, p. pr. of incumbere to lie down upon, press upon; pref. in- in, on + cumbere (in comp.); akin to cubare to lie down. See Incubate.
Definitions
  1. Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent; superimposed; superincumbent.
    Two incumbent figures, gracefully leaning upon it. Sir H. Wotton.
    To move the incumbent load they try. Addison.
  2. Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation; obligatory; always with on or upon.
    All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works that are incumbent on all Christians. Sprat.
  3. (Bot.) Leaning or resting; -- said of anthers when lying on the inner side of the filament, or of cotyledons when the radicle lies against the back of one of them. Gray.
  4. (Zoöl.) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird.
In*cum"bent noun
Definitions
  1. A person who is in present possession of a benefice or of any office.
    The incumbent lieth at the mercy of his patron. Swift.

Webster 1913