preceded; preceding
1
: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2
: to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3
: to be earlier than
4
: to cause to be preceded : preface
: to go or come before
Examples of precede in a Sentence
Minutes before 10:30 p.m. in China, the stadium pulsed with the emotions that always precede a 100-meter final.
—
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
The announcement, which was preceded by a series of cryptic posts from the singer, comes over five years after her last major solo concert.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
And the preceding year, 65% failed to beat their S&P 500 benchmark.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Easter weather Easter Sunday — and the preceding Saturday — should hit 82 with lows around 73.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Last year, the 2025 season opened with a kickoff performance by Maceo Plex on May 31, preceded by a sneak peek set from Carlita on May 16.
—Abigail Park, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
And the preceding year, 65% failed to beat their S&P 500 benchmark.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Easter weather Easter Sunday — and the preceding Saturday — should hit 82 with lows around 73.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Last year, the 2025 season opened with a kickoff performance by Maceo Plex on May 31, preceded by a sneak peek set from Carlita on May 16.
—Abigail Park, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
Cite this Entry
“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precede
verb
pre·cede
pri-ˈsēd 
preceded; preceding
: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)
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