precede
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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to go or be before (someone or something) in time, place, rank, etc
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(tr) to preface or introduce
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have precededperfect
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has precededperfect 3rd person singular
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are precedingprogressive
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is precedingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been precedingperfect progressive
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am precedingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been precedingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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precedingparticiple
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precedessingular 3rd person
Past
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had precededperfect
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had been precedingperfect progressive
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precededsimple
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was precedingprogressive singular
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precededparticiple
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were precedingprogressive plural
Future
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
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ACT Vocabulary List
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"Of Mice and Men"
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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.
Gesture Should either be Simultaneous with or Precede the Words—not Follow Them Lady Macbeth says: "Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue."
From The Art of Public Speaking by Carnagey, Dale
"Precede me, Hector," she said with consummate dignity, "to M. le Comte's audience chamber."
From The Bronze Eagle A Story of the Hundred Days by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
"Precede me to the Palace, Father Benedict," he said.
From The White Ladies of Worcester A Romance of the Twelfth Century by Barclay, Florence L. (Florence Louisa)
"Precede me, I beg," said the minister, with a courteous movement, "I am at home."
From For Sceptre and Crown, Vol. II (of II) A Romance of the Present Time by Meding, Johann Ferdinand Martin Oskar
"Precede me, clouds! inform my father and my brothers that I am coming!" she exclaimed, smiling.
From Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia by Jordan, F.
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.
