precedence

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

Updated on: 10 May 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

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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

One of the best things about sports is that when the practices start almost all of the animosity and cultural and racial differences are forgotten because winning takes precedence over almost anything else.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: Ravens' Flacco takes the right stance in quarterback debate," 7 May 2018
For now, the report, which was published last week, gives priority to the looser standard, but when the CDC issues its next report two years from now, the more stringent measure will take precedence.

— jo craven mcginty, WSJ, "On Autism, Shifting U.S. Standards Cloud the Number of Cases," 4 May 2018
Combine that with the addition of Carlos Hyde in the off-season and the Browns having a top-half-of-the-league rush attack, and the other two positions should take precedence here.

— cleveland.com, "2018 NFL Mock Draft: All nine picks for Cleveland Browns," 25 Apr. 2018
Before the rules were changed in 2012, male heirs took precedence.

— sylvia hui, The Seattle Times, "Prince charming: Kate gives birth to boy, home by suppertime," 23 Apr. 2018
But, under this philosophy, the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which dictates that federal law takes precedence over state law, is irrelevant.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "The Renegade Sheriffs," 23 Apr. 2018
This put an end to the old-fashioned system of male preference primogeniture — where princes would take precedence over their older sisters.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Here's How Kate Middleton and Prince William's Royal Baby Just Changed the Succession to the British Throne," 23 Apr. 2018
The feds hit him with a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and that prosecution took precedence.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Cold case rape arrest a milestone for Mobile task force," 17 Apr. 2018
Religious and historical subjects took precedence; landscapes and portraits followed; genre scenes next, and, at the bottom of the chain, mere flowers, foods and fruits, objects on display.

— willard spiegelman, WSJ, "Beauty in Full Bloom," 13 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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precedence Synonyms

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

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precedence

Definition of precedence

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