the/a person who

[Ostap]

incumbent
the person who has or had a particular official position
Cambridge Dictionary

Hello, teachers. Why is "person" in the above Cambridge definition used with the definite rticle?

 

[5jj]

Possibly because 'incumbent' itself is often used with the definite artcle.

Please try not to worry about points of grammar in dictionary definitions. Lexicigraphers try to explain the meanings of words in the fewest words possible. They are not concerned about the grammatical niceties of how their definitions would work in complete sentences.

 

[jutfrank]

For each particular official position, there is only one incumbent. I presume that's what the lexicographer was thinking.

 

[Ostap]

For each particular official position, there is only one incumbent. I presume that's what the lexicographer was thinking.

But then this word is also often used in the context of prepresentatives in US Congress or UK Parliament.

 

[5jj]

But then this word is also often used in the context of prepresentatives in US Congress or UK Parliament.

I haven't heard it so used but, if it is, it refers to the person who is representative/member for one particular constituency.