precede
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time.
-
to introduce by something preliminary; preface.
to precede one's statement with a qualification.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
-
to go or be before (someone or something) in time, place, rank, etc
-
(tr) to preface or introduce
Other Word Forms
- precedable adjective
Etymology
Origin of precede
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preceden, from Latin praecēdere; see pre-, cede
Explanation
To precede is to come before. A short speech will precede the dinner. As you walk down the garden path, the bed of roses precedes the holly bush. When marching into the room, the younger kids precede the older ones. Precede is one of many verbs ending in "-ceed" or "-cede" that trace their roots back to the Latin word cedere which means "to go." For precede, know that it's pre "first" + cedere "go." When you precede, you go first. You might precede your best friend in line, lunch might precede math class, a joke might precede a lecture, and radio preceded television. Anything that goes first or comes before precedes.
Vocabulary lists containing precede
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ACT Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Of Mice and Men"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He added that, unlike in 2010, Democrats likely won’t be able to retrench themselves following big wins, because 2026 does not precede a redistricting year.
From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026
That’s because the ominous earnings revisions and stock price trends that typically precede market weakness are not in place, Raich said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026
"The happiness of a father or a mother or a sister shouldn't precede the happiness of a daughter."
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Last week’s spinning top candle points to possible downside exhaustion following an early March doji, a combination that can precede near-term stabilization.
From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026
This was a victory that had to precede all other gains.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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.
