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
His base on balls followed one by Jac Caglianone (118 days in the big leagues) and the single by Zach Dezenzo (one year, 55 days in the big leagues) that preceded it.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The tribute preceded the Awards Show's signature In Memorium segment, which also honored Hollywood legends Robert Redford, Catherine O'Hara and Diane Keaton.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Over the preceding years, Bennett had come to question the medical reasoning behind her three prior C-sections.
—CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
He was preceded in death by another daughter, Alexandria.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The tribute preceded the Awards Show's signature In Memorium segment, which also honored Hollywood legends Robert Redford, Catherine O'Hara and Diane Keaton.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Over the preceding years, Bennett had come to question the medical reasoning behind her three prior C-sections.
—CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
He was preceded in death by another daughter, Alexandria.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 16 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 19 Mar. 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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