precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s  pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: priority of importance

your safety takes precedence

b

: the right to superior honor on a ceremonial or formal occasion

c

: the order of ceremonial or formal preference

2

a

: the fact of coming or occurring earlier in time

b

obsolete : antecedent

Synonyms

• priority

Examples of precedence in a Sentence

Americans, Adams now believed, were as driven by the passions for wealth and precedence as any people in history. Ambition, avarice, and resentment, not virtue and benevolence, were the stuff of American society. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006

So, too, did most accept that all economies are characterized by struggles for power and precedence among men and institutions run by men; in other words, that all economies are fundamentally political in nature. —Barry C. Lynn, Harper's, July 2006

Jefferson abolished precedence and placement at White House dinners to emphasize that all guests were equal, but his system—he called it "pell-mell"—was abandoned, and we have guests of honor and use place cards today. —Naomi Bliven, New York Times Book Review, 12 Sept. 1999

his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first

Recent Examples on the Web

Dealing with rising costs and a pursuit of experiences and self-care are taking precedence over long-term financial planning, experts observed. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025

Those interviewed also told the grand jury that the lack of resources, both personnel and funding, was the reason why elder financial abuse isn’t given a higher priority, stressing that cases involving physical abuse take precedence over financial abuse. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Following the Governance Layer of Impact Finance Kula has built its platform on a principle that challenges the norms of traditional finance: governance takes precedence over capital through RegionalDAOs that embed decision-making authority directly into the communities where projects are located. —Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Henry, meanwhile, serves as a soldier fighting in the brutal trenches of France, where survival takes precedence over everything else. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see precede

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing precedence

• give precedence to
• have/take precedence over

Kids Definition

precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s  pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the act or fact of preceding (as in time)

2

: consideration based on order of importance : priority

your safety takes precedence