precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s 
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
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
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
In the dissent, Justice Melissa Standridge wrote that because the two laws conflict in their approach to handling religious exemptions, the federal law should take precedence.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Against Union and Nottingham Forest, positive results must take precedence over performances.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Something has to take precedence.
—Monique Wilson, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
This recentering of impossible, exclusionary beauty standards reflects not only the ugly desires of white supremacist patriarchy, but reflects a broader issue of what is sacrificed when efficiency and optimization take precedence over real human experience and connection.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
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.
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Against Union and Nottingham Forest, positive results must take precedence over performances.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Something has to take precedence.
—Monique Wilson, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
This recentering of impossible, exclusionary beauty standards reflects not only the ugly desires of white supremacist patriarchy, but reflects a broader issue of what is sacrificed when efficiency and optimization take precedence over real human experience and connection.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the act or fact of preceding (as in time)
2
: consideration based on order of importance : priority
your safety takes precedence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share