precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s  pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: priority of importance or application

your safety takes precedence

Federal law takes precedence over state law in this instance.

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

Synonyms of precedence

• priority

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

While lithium-ion batteries are well suited for fast response and short- to medium-duration applications, grid operators increasingly need systems that can deliver power over many hours or even days, where cost, thermal stability, and durability take precedence over energy density. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2025

When the consequence of getting something wrong is literally lights out, security and reliability have to take precedence over everything else. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025

But the path to that decision could be bumpy, as policymakers are divided over whether stubborn inflation should take precedence. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Dec. 2025

With a tip of the hat to Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries, Baumbach uses a movie star’s journey through Europe to reflect on various inflection points in his life where his career took precedence over personal relationships. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see precede

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing precedence

• give precedence to
• have/take precedence over

Kids Definition

precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpres-əd-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