precedence

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Work priorities take precedence today. Usa Today, USA Today, 16 May 2025 Preserving pitcher health will continue to take precedence. Katie Woo, New York Times, 16 May 2025 In manufacturing, keeping OT systems online may take precedence over administrative tools. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Williams agreed on a preliminary basis, citing the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution, which says federal law takes precedence over state and local laws. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for precedence

Word History

Etymology

see precede

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of precedence was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

precedence

noun
1
: the act or fact of preceding (as in time)
2
: consideration based on order of importance : priority
your safety takes precedence

More from Merriam-Webster on precedence

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