Definition of precedent
:prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
From the M-W Editors
Examples of precedent in a Sentence
behavior that may be explained by a precedent event in her troubled life
Origin and Etymology of precedent
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praecedent-, praecedens, present participle of praecedere — see precede
precedent Synonyms
Synonyms
antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, previous, preceding, priorAntonyms
after, ensuing, following, later, posterior, subsequent, succeedingRelated Words
advance, early, premature; earliest, first, inaugural, initial, maiden, original, pioneer; preexisting; introductory, preliminary; erstwhile, whilomNear Antonyms
advanced, late; closing, concluding, final, last, latest, latter, terminal, ultimateDefinition of precedent
1
:an earlier occurrence of something similar
b
:the convention established by such a precedent or by long practice
3
:a person or thing that serves as a model
Examples of precedent in a Sentence
- Suddenly, against all historical precedent just for that week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have morphed into a well-organized and dependable outfit. —John McWhorter, National Review, 26 Sept. 2005
- On July 12, in an action that seems to have been without precedent, the House voted, 355-0, to condemn a scientific article. —Jonathan Rauch, National Journal, 7 Aug. 1999
- In cases close-run enough to require the Supreme court to decide them, precedent and principle are elastic enough, or complex enough, that justices can often decide either way without brazenly contradicting themselves. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Republic, 20 & 27 Sept. 1993
- We begin to appreciate the mystery when we realize that the act of naming, or denotation, is generically without precedent in natural history. —Walker Percy, "Naming And Being," 1960, in Signposts in a Strange Land, 1991
The judge's ruling was based on a precedent established by an earlier decision.
He says that the government will set a dangerous precedent if it refuses to allow the protesters to hold a rally.
The judge's ruling was based on legal precedent.
Recent Examples of precedent from the Web
-
As Weather Underground meteorologist Bob Henson pointed out early Saturday morning: There is virtually no precedent for such a slow-moving system maintaining at least tropical storm strength along the Texas coast for five days.
-
There is a strong precedent for presidents adjusting the boundaries of the monuments.
-
There is a precedent for a Chinese acquisition of a European automaker — Zhejiang Geely Holding Group bought Volvo Cars of Sweden seven years ago.
-
There is a precedent for a Chinese acquisition of a European automaker — Zhejiang Geely Holding Group bought Volvo Cars of Sweden seven years ago.
-
Britain, wary of setting awkward precedents, played an outsized role in sheltering Italians with blood on their hands.
-
As T.H.R. points out, the TV industry’s reboot craze hasn’t extended quite as much toward unscripted shows, but there is precedent for series like America’s Next Top Model and Fear Factor recently getting dusted off and put back on the air.
-
There is historical precedent for such a narrative.
-
Beyond that, there is no historical precedent for a military attack aimed at destroying a country’s nuclear arsenal.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precedent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
precedent and the Supreme Court
A precedent is something that precedes, or comes before. The Supreme Court relies on precedents—that is, earlier laws or decisions that provide some example or rule to guide them in the case they're actually deciding. When hostages are being held for ransom, a government may worry about setting a bad precedent if it gives in. And a company might "break with precedent" by naming a foreigner as its president for the first time.
Origin and Etymology of precedent
PRECEDENT Defined for English Language Learners
precedent
play
noun
Definition of precedent for English Language Learners
-
: a similar action or event that happened at an earlier time
-
: something done or said that can be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future
-
: the usual or traditional way of doing something
PRECEDENT Defined for Kids
precedent
play
noun
pre·ce·dent
\
ˈpre-sə-dənt
\
Definition of precedent for Students
:something that can be used as a rule or example to be followed in the future
Law Dictionary
legal Definition of precedent
:prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance — see also condition precedent at condition — compare subsequent
Origin and Etymology of precedent
Middle French, from Latin praecedent- praecedens, present participle of praecedere to go ahead of, come before
legal Definition of precedent
:a judicial decision that should be followed by a judge when deciding a later similar case — see also stare decisis — compare dictum
Note:
To serve as precedent for a pending case, a prior decision must have a similar question of law and factual situation. If the precedent is from the same or a superior jurisdiction (as the state's supreme court), it is binding upon the court and must be followed; if the precedent is from another jurisdiction (as another state's supreme court), it is considered only persuasive. Precedents may be overruled especially by the same court that originally rendered the decision.
Learn More about precedent
-
See words that rhyme with precedent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for precedent Spanish Central: Translation of precedent Nglish: Translation of precedent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of precedent for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about precedent
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up precedent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!