cede
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to transfer, make over, or surrender (something, esp territory or legal rights)
the lands were ceded by treaty
-
(tr) to allow or concede (a point in an argument, etc)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cede
First recorded in 1625–35, cede is from the Latin word cēdere “to go, yield”
Explanation
To cede is to give up or surrender land, position, or authority. "She reluctantly ceded the coveted position as the baby of the family to her brother when he was born. She would not, however, cede her bedroom to him." Cede is a word often used in discussing diplomatic issues. It is more commonly used in reference to actual physical things, like geographic areas or objects, but can also be used in reference to attitudes or opinions. "The rebels ceded territory after the siege failed." "Dad tried but finally ceded control and let me have my own Facebook account."
Vocabulary lists containing cede
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Theresa Cede is one of nearly 1,800 civil plaintiffs - mainly survivors and relatives of the dead - who have the right to tell their story before the court.
From BBC • Sep. 7, 2021
Golden Gopher is the first property of Cede Moses’ 213 Ventures, a group of downtown bars and restaurants.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2014
A version of this article appears in print on March 12, 2014, on page C1 of the with the headline: An Identity He Won’t Cede That Easily .
From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2014
As Police Cede Taksim Square, Istanbul Remains On Edge A local protest in a square known for them unexpectedly struck a chord across Turkey.
From Newsweek • Jun. 2, 2013
The memorable words that Æneas addresses to Dares, "Cede Deo," "bend before a will higher as well as stronger than thine own," are in fact the faith of his own career.
From Stray Studies from England and Italy by Greene, John Richard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
