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precedence

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

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

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Examples of precedence in a Sentence

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

  4. his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first

Recent Examples of precedence from the Web

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

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

Phrases Related to PRECEDENCE

Related Phrases

PRECEDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

precedence

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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

  1. 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

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Examples: precedence in a Sentence