cede

play

verb \ˈsēd\

Definition of cede

ceded

;

ceding

transitive verb
1 : to yield or grant typically by treaty Russia ceded Alaska to the U.S. in 1867.
2 : assign, transfer ceded his stock holdings to his children

ceder

noun

See cede defined for English-language learners

See cede defined for kids

Examples of cede in a Sentence

Russia ceded Alaska to the U.S. in 1867.
she reluctantly ceded her position as leader

Did You Know?

Cede is often a formal term used in discussing territory and rights, but is also used less formally. So, for example, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898, following the Spanish-American War, and the U.S. ceded control of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1999. Critics warn that we are ceding leadership in alternative-energy technology to China. Citizens of one European country or another are always worrying that their own country is ceding too much power to the European Union. A tennis player doesn't have any choice when she cedes her no. 1 ranking to a rival.

Origin and Etymology of cede

borrowed from French or Latin; French céder, borrowed from Latin cēdere “to go, move away, withdraw, yield,” perhaps, if derived from an originally transitive meaning “drive away,” akin to Sanskrit sedhati “(she/he) chases away,” Avestan siiazdat “will chase away”

First Known Use: 1749

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

CEDE Defined for English Language Learners

cede

play

verb \ˈsēd\

Definition of cede for English Language Learners

: to give control of (something) to another person, group, government, etc.

CEDE Defined for Kids

cede

play

verb \ˈsēd\

Definition of cede for Students

ceded

;

ceding

: to give up especially by treaty The land was ceded to another country.

Law Dictionary

cede

play

transitive verb \ˈsēd\

Legal Definition of cede

ceded

ceding

1 : to yield or grant usually by treaty
2 : assign, transfer
3 : to transfer (all or part of one's liability as an insurer under an insurance policy) by reinsurance to another insurer