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
Trabuco coach Mark Nolan lamented a penalty that wiped out an interception that preceded Romo’s score, calling it the turning point in the game.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Unlike other contract options that typically relate to the coming season, rookie-scale decisions are made by the end of October during the preceding season.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Instagram comments precede state employee’s firing Early Thursday morning, Berriochoa was scrolling through comments on a KTVB Instagram post about a fight at the Idaho Capitol during a vigil for Kirk.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
Add it to the seven standout years that preceded it and the 2025 renaissance, and deGrom might make the Hall of Fame, after all.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Unlike other contract options that typically relate to the coming season, rookie-scale decisions are made by the end of October during the preceding season.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Instagram comments precede state employee’s firing Early Thursday morning, Berriochoa was scrolling through comments on a KTVB Instagram post about a fight at the Idaho Capitol during a vigil for Kirk.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
Add it to the seven standout years that preceded it and the 2025 renaissance, and deGrom might make the Hall of Fame, after all.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 13 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 18 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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