precede

verb

pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd 

preceded; preceding

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to go or come before

Synonyms of precede

• predate

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found that depression, vertigo, headaches and other conditions were more common during the five years preceding diagnosis, potentially offering clues for earlier detection. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

And in 2017, historian Alberto (Carlos González) struggles to figure out how the two preceding tales intersect, stumped until an academic (Glenn Close in a brief, striking cameo) steps in to help. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Over the past century, central bank rate hikes have preceded the popping of every significant bubble. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

The resident was upset on Saturday by the lack of automatic alerts for incoming missiles in the preceding days but said phone alerts were working effectively by Monday. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preceden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French preceder, borrowed from Latin praecēdere "to go in front (of), occur at an earlier time (than), come before, be superior (to), excel, surpass," from prae- pre- + cēdere "to go, move away, withdraw, yield" — more at cede

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Rhymes for precede

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids Definition

precede

verb

pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd 

preceded; preceding

: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)