What Is an Incumbent?

[lara]

What Is an Incumbent? I’ve seen it used mostly in politics and sometimes in business, but I’m not fully sure how it applies. Does it only refer to someone currently holding a position, or does it have broader uses depending on the context? Any simple examples would help.

 

[Alice]

A person who currently occupies a position, role, or office—particularly in politics or business—is known as an incumbent. In elections, for instance, the candidate running for reelection is known as the incumbent. When compared to new competitors, incumbents frequently have advantages like experience, visibility, and current support.

 

[Jarwish]

An incumbent is the current holder of a position or office, especially in politics. They are the person presently serving and often seeking re-election or continuation in that role.

 

[Shane John]

An incumbent is simply another term to refer to somebody who is the current holder of a given position or office. As an example, in elections, the incumbent is the already-in-job candidate who is seeking to retain his or her position. It simply refers to “incumbent incumbent of the post.