adjective

incumbent

Translation

incumbent, obligatory

The incumbent president is running for reelection.

The incumbent president is running for re-election.

It is incumbent upon you to tell the truth.

The incumbent has a strong advantage in the election.

the incumbent ((noun)) the person currently holding a position The incumbent mayor is popular.

it is incumbent upon ((sb.)) to-inf it is sb's duty to do sth. It is incumbent upon citizens to vote.

the incumbent (as a noun) the current office-holder The incumbent won the debate.

Synonyms: current, reigning (for office); obligatory, mandatory (for duty)

From Latin 'incumbere' meaning 'to lie or lean on', from 'in-' (on) + '-cumbere' (to lie down).

Imagine that the responsibility of an office 'lies on' the incumbent person. This connects both the 'duty' and 'office-holder' meanings.