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
Being a father has understandably taken precedence for Sean.
—Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
The pledge to die for China would take precedence over any personal relationships that might develop.
—Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Further in the hierarchy of needs, having a smartphone rarely takes precedence over having a decent job and an affordable meal for the family.
—Himanshu Gupta, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
Teenagers are not the guileless consumers this program sometimes suggests: these people understand that cheap clothing is bad, and yet the desire to be perceived as cool will always take precedence.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
If an internal applicant also applies for the same posting, does the internal applicant take precedence in being hired?
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024
This week, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed that decision, allowing the 19th-century law to take precedence.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
On the bottom this outfit speaks to comfortability, but on top style takes precedence.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
The pledge to die for China would take precedence over any personal relationships that might develop.
—Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Further in the hierarchy of needs, having a smartphone rarely takes precedence over having a decent job and an affordable meal for the family.
—Himanshu Gupta, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
Teenagers are not the guileless consumers this program sometimes suggests: these people understand that cheap clothing is bad, and yet the desire to be perceived as cool will always take precedence.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
If an internal applicant also applies for the same posting, does the internal applicant take precedence in being hired?
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024
This week, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed that decision, allowing the 19th-century law to take precedence.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
On the bottom this outfit speaks to comfortability, but on top style takes precedence.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precedence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to precedence
Dictionary Entries Near precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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
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