Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2025/January

1. Chiefly followed by on or upon: leaning, or lying, reclining, or resting, on something else.
   1. (botany) Of an anther: lying on the inner side of the filament; also, of a cotyledon: having its back lying against the radicle.
   2. (zoology) Of a body part such as a hair, spine, or wing: bent downwards or otherwise positioned so that it, or part of it, rests on or touches something else; specifically (ornithology), of the hind toe of a bird: fully resting on a support.
2. (figurative)
   1. Being the current holder of an office or a title; specifically (Christianity, obsolete), of an ecclesiastical benefice.
   2. Oppressive, pressuring.
   3. Followed by on or upon: imposed on one as an obligation, especially due to one's office or position.
   4. (poetic) Hanging or leaning over.
   5. (obsolete) Putting much effort into an activity or some work.
   6. (obsolete) Weighing on one's mind.

incumbent n

1. The current holder of an office or title; (specifically, Christianity) the holder of an ecclesiastical benefice.
2. (business) A holder of a position as supplier to a market or market segment that allows the holder to earn above-normal profits.

Today the votes of the Electoral College in the 2024 United States presidential election are being formally counted before a joint session of Congress; following this, the Vice President, as the president of the Senate, will announce the result of the election.

1. To induct (someone) into a dignity or office with a formal ceremony.
2. To dedicate (something, as a building or a monument) for public access or use with a formal ceremony.
3. To initiate or usher in (something, as a (significant) course of action, development, organization, or period of time) with a formal ceremony or in a ceremonious manner; also (loosely), to begin or commence (something); to start.
4. (archaic, rare) To cause (something) to be auspicious or good-omened; also, to declare or make (something) holy; to consecrate, to sanctify.

inaugurate adj

1. (obsolete) Inducted into a dignity or office with a formal ceremony or in a ceremonious manner; inaugurated.

The inauguration of the president of the United States following the 2024 presidential election takes place in Washington, D.C., today.