present-day

UK: ˌprez.əntˈdeɪ | US: ˌprez.əntˈdeɪ

Definition

  1. adj. belonging to or occurring in the current time period; modern.

Structure
present <existing now>day <24-hour period>
Etymology

The compound "present-day" combines "present" (from Latin praesens, meaning "being at hand" or "current") and "day" (from Old English dæg, meaning "a 24-hour cycle"). The fusion reflects a straightforward descriptive logic: "the day that is present" → "current time." It emerged in the 19th century to distinguish contemporary matters from historical or future contexts.

Examples

  1. Present-day technology has transformed communication.

  2. The book compares medieval customs with present-day practices.

  3. Present-day climate challenges require urgent action.

  4. Her research focuses on present-day urban development.

  5. The museum exhibits artifacts from ancient to present-day eras.