preceded; preceding
1
: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2
: to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3
: to be earlier than
4
: to cause to be preceded : preface
: to go or come before
Examples of precede in a Sentence
Minutes before 10:30 p.m. in China, the stadium pulsed with the emotions that always precede a 100-meter final.
—
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rodgers swore his 21st NFL opener overall and 18th as a starter was no different than any preceding it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
An expanse of nothing preceding them, receding behind them, ruptured only by the trap music coming from the speakers.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
However, due to the bad blood, Tapia de Veer didn’t directly inform White of his decision, instead revealing his intentions to the crew and in a New York Times interview that preceded the third season’s finale.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025
Lockwood is survived by husband Richard Cook, his partner of 53 years, and preceded in death by parents Bessie and Edward.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
An expanse of nothing preceding them, receding behind them, ruptured only by the trap music coming from the speakers.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
However, due to the bad blood, Tapia de Veer didn’t directly inform White of his decision, instead revealing his intentions to the crew and in a New York Times interview that preceded the third season’s finale.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025
Lockwood is survived by husband Richard Cook, his partner of 53 years, and preceded in death by parents Bessie and Edward.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
Cite this Entry
“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precede
verb
pre·cede
pri-ˈsēd 
preceded; preceding
: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)
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