precedence

noun pre·ce·dence \ ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s , pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s \

Updated on: 5 Jan 2018

Definition of precedence

1 a obsolete : antecedent

b : the fact of coming or occurring earlier in time

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

b : the order of ceremonial or formal preference

c : priority of importance

your safety takes precedence

See precedence defined for English-language learners

See precedence defined for kids

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 of precedence from the Web

The $350,000 demolition cost will be discussed during budget talks in March and April, but Kalmar said other needs could take precedence over this project.

— rick kambic, chicagotribune.com, "Laschen Center in Vernon Hills to permanently close," 18 Dec. 2017
For decades, the First Amendment has taken precedence over federal statutes like Title IX and campus codes of conduct.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "Judith Butler Overestimates the Power of Hateful Speech," 12 Dec. 2017
But socialists have done themselves no favors by insisting that class must take precedence over issues like race and gender—a position that comes across as dismissive of the concerns of women and people of color.

— jeet heer, New Republic, "Sibling Rivalry," 18 Oct. 2017
In a perfect world, preventative measures would always take precedence over last-minute canceling, but alas, life is never that clear-cut.

— martine thompson, Vogue, "How to Be Better at Canceling Plans—Especially When You’re Dealing With Social Anxiety," 11 Oct. 2017
That took precedence over everything: fears, concerns, all of that.

— natalie weiner, Billboard, "Esperanza Spalding Talks Recording an Album in 77 Hours, Sexism in Music & Nicki MInaj," 22 Sep. 2017
If intelligence, justice, and morality are to have precedence in the government, let the question of the woman be brought up first and that of the negro last.

— deroy murdock, National Review, "Monuments to Racist Democrats Should Enrage Leftist Mobs," 30 Aug. 2017
Council is facing several important issues that should be taking precedence, Hoch said, such as the house fires that have killed 9 Akron kids this year and the opioid epidemic.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Reprimanded Akron Councilman Bob Hoch says ego, not race, is at the heart of council's troubles," 17 Oct. 2017
Wilenchik explained there is legal precedence that says the judge has to vacate the rulings in the case because it was pardoned.

— tony marco, CNN, "Judge rejects motion to clear former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's conviction," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precedence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of precedence

see precede

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

precedence Synonyms

Synonyms

priority, right-of-way

Related Words

preference; urgency; ascendancy (also ascendency), preeminence, primacy, supremacy; transcendence, transcendency; order, progression, sequence, succession; front burner

Near Antonyms

back burner

PRECEDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

precedence

noun

Definition of precedence for English Language Learners

: the condition of being more important than something or someone else and therefore coming or being dealt with first

Learn More about precedence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for precedence Spanish Central: Translation of precedence Nglish: Translation of precedence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of precedence for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up precedence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

precedence

Definition of precedence

Examples of precedence in a Sentence

Recent Examples of precedence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of precedence

precedence Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

PRECEDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

precedence

Definition of precedence for English Language Learners

Learn More about precedence

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

officinal

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Standing Up for 'Stan'

'Kitty-corner': A History

'Complacent' vs. 'Complaisant'

A Retrospect Of Words From 1918

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

Naughty or Nice Quiz

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Standing Up for 'Stan'

Trending: CNN's Tapper: Miller 'Obsequious,' 'Factotum'

A Retrospect Of Words From 1918

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

precedence

Definition of precedence

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of precedence in a Sentence

Recent Examples of precedence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of precedence

precedence Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to PRECEDENCE

Related Phrases

PRECEDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

precedence

Definition of precedence for English Language Learners

Learn More about precedence

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Standing Up for 'Stan'

Trending: CNN's Tapper: Miller 'Obsequious,' 'Factotum'

A Retrospect Of Words From 1918

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes