precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s 
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
1
a
: priority of importance or application
your safety takes precedence
Federal law takes precedence over state law in this instance.
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
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
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
One target took absolute precedence, however, and getting him in a favorable spot was the trigger of the entire war — former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
As geopolitics heat up and trading partners become less reliable, energy security takes precedence—no matter the cost.
—Justin Worland, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
Stories prey on our emotions, not our rationality, and in many cases, the former takes precedence over the latter.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
The tight ensemble — Hadras, Moreno and Herndon — takes storytelling precedence.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
As geopolitics heat up and trading partners become less reliable, energy security takes precedence—no matter the cost.
—Justin Worland, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
Stories prey on our emotions, not our rationality, and in many cases, the former takes precedence over the latter.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
The tight ensemble — Hadras, Moreno and Herndon — takes storytelling precedence.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-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
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