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
Today, its reputation precedes it and the place remains packed night-after-night.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
The series is based both on the book and the two film adaptations that preceded it − one starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum from 1962, and the other directed by Martin Scorsese with Robert DeNiro as Cady from 1991.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
South Africa’s 2010 tournament was preceded by the police’s use of rubber bullets and tear gas to put down labor strikes after a similar public outcry.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
This riveting two-part docuseries preceded the fictional take seen in The Girl From Plainville, taking an unprejudiced and empathetic approach when exploring the complex case, presenting all the facts without vilifying one individual.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
The series is based both on the book and the two film adaptations that preceded it − one starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum from 1962, and the other directed by Martin Scorsese with Robert DeNiro as Cady from 1991.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
South Africa’s 2010 tournament was preceded by the police’s use of rubber bullets and tear gas to put down labor strikes after a similar public outcry.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
This riveting two-part docuseries preceded the fictional take seen in The Girl From Plainville, taking an unprejudiced and empathetic approach when exploring the complex case, presenting all the facts without vilifying one individual.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
Cite this Entry
“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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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