predate

American  

[pree-deyt] / ˈpriˈdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

predated, predating

1. to date before the actual time; antedate.

   He predated the check by three days.

2. to precede in date.

   a house that predates the Civil War.

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predate British  

/ priːˈdeɪt /

verb

1. to affix a date to (a document, paper, etc) that is earlier than the actual date

2. to assign a date to (an event, period, etc) that is earlier than the actual or previously assigned date of occurrence

3. to be or occur at an earlier date than; precede in time

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Etymology

Origin of predate

First recorded in 1860–65; pre- + date ¹

Example Sentences

In a video posted to social media platform X, Edwards said the photo "predates when I even started working in politics".

From BBC

The author emphasizes that by the 1950s, approximately 90% of Cuba’s mines were owned by U.S. companies, demonstrating a longstanding pattern of American economic domination that predated the rise of Fidel Castro and communism.

From Los Angeles Times

Both economic reports predate the conflict with Iran, suggesting that growth was already slowing before the recent spike in oil prices added further strain.

From The Wall Street Journal

The numbers aren’t likely to revise analysts’ understanding of the economy, especially because they predate the Iran conflict, which has sent energy prices sharply higher over the past two weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal

The markets on Khamenei had long predated the Feb. 28 strike.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• outrank
• presage