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

Legal experts, however, say the charges will likely be dropped due to the lack of precedence for tying the protection of worshippers to the FACE Act, which was passed in 1994 to bolster protections for women seeking safe access to reproductive health clinics. —Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

Pattinson and Zendaya are great in it, but the twist and the moral quandary that comes with it are going to take precedence. —Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

In this ranking, those things still matter, but projection takes precedence after watching the players more, gathering more data, speaking with more coaches and personnel staffers and better understanding the quarterbacks’ fits with their new teams. —Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026

With the moon in your sign, emotions run high and relationship themes take precedence. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

preced(ent) entry 1 or preced(ent) entry 2 + -ence

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