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
Beyond internal changes, Moore said the department has also sought outside review of both the Palisades fire and the earlier Lachman fire that preceded it.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
The presenter took the stage at Sunday night's ceremony to present the award for Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television and preceded the announcement by roasting each of the nominees.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The five-member commission meets on Mondays preceding the second council meeting of the month in February, March, June, August and November, in addition to any special meetings.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Director Ava DuVernay, who was on hand to present the film awards, noted the tense political climate surrounding the event, which precedes this weekend's Golden Globe Awards.
—Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precede
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Teresa Liu, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
The presenter took the stage at Sunday night's ceremony to present the award for Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television and preceded the announcement by roasting each of the nominees.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The five-member commission meets on Mondays preceding the second council meeting of the month in February, March, June, August and November, in addition to any special meetings.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Director Ava DuVernay, who was on hand to present the film awards, noted the tense political climate surrounding the event, which precedes this weekend's Golden Globe Awards.
—Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 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 19 Jan. 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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