precede

verb

pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd 

preceded; preceding

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to go or come before

Synonyms of precede

• predate

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearly half of each incoming class — about 45% — do not make it through the three weeks preceding Hell Week — some 29% voluntarily withdraw from the course. — James Laporta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026

The often-sleepy general election campaign was a sharp contrast to the bruising, expensive Democratic primary that preceded it in March. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Another six preceded them this year; a further three are yet to come. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

Opposite the drop in crude oil was a rally in solar energy companies, extending recent gains and extending unusual options activity that preceded the midterms. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preceden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preceder, borrowed from Latin praecēdere "to go in front (of), occur at an earlier time (than), come before, be superior (to), excel, surpass," from prae- pre- + cēdere "to go, move away, withdraw, yield" — more at cede

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Rhymes for precede

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids Definition

precede

verb

pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd 

preceded; preceding

: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)