precedent
Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.
any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations.
Origin of precedent
1Other words for precedent
Other words from precedent
- prec·e·dent·less, adjective
- non·prec·e·dent, noun
- non·pre·ced·ent, adjective
- qua·si-pre·ced·ent, adjective
Words that may be confused with precedent
- precedence, precedents , presidents
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use precedent in a sentence
In 1964 Jackie Kennedy was just 35, the widow of a first-term president, when she began setting historical precedents of her own.
Doubtless, Putin recalls these salient precedents on his own borders when he thinks about Crimea.
Historical parallels and precedents for social media abound.
This is about a health-care law that is reality and the setting of precedents on executive power.
Washington’s Other Car Crash: Obama vs. the Boehner Rule | Michael Tomasky | October 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIronically, almost all the precedents he mentions demonstrate the need for partition of one kind or another.
Partition Skepticism and the Future of the Peace Process | Avner Inbar, Assaf Sharon | September 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for or against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftDistinctions were drawn; precedents were cited; and at length the question was put, that Mr. Montague do withdraw.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayThroughout his two terms, he created precedents and made decisions of lasting value for the United States.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeyIn conformity with precedents, the coronation was distinguished by the grant of new honours.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanAccording to all precedents the battle should have ended in an Indian rout by the time the sun crossed the meridian.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh Pendexter
British Dictionary definitions for precedent
law a judicial decision that serves as an authority for deciding a later case
an example or instance used to justify later similar occurrences
preceding
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for precedent
[ (press-uh-duhnt) ]
A previous ruling by a court that influences subsequent decisions in cases with similar issues.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with precedent
see set a precedent.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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