C2adjectiveformalpolitics
US/ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/
UK/ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/
holding an official job at the present time; also, being someone's formal duty to do something
In context
The incumbent president is expected to win a second term.
It is incumbent on parents to teach children basic online safety.
Small start-ups are challenging the incumbent banks with cheaper apps.
Words that go with incumbent
adjective + preposition
- incumbent onIt is incumbent on all drivers to check their brakes.
- incumbent uponIt is incumbent upon all of us to protect the environment.
adjective + noun
- incumbent presidentThe incumbent president lost the election by a small margin.
- incumbent governmentVoters blamed the incumbent government for rising prices.
- incumbent mayorThe incumbent mayor lost by only three hundred votes.
- incumbent partyThe incumbent party has been in power for twenty years.
- incumbent firmsNew technology can threaten even large incumbent firms.