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
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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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has precededperfect 3rd person singular
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have precededperfect
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am precedingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been precedingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is precedingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been precedingperfect progressive
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are precedingprogressive
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precedingparticiple
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precedessingular 3rd person
Past
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had precededperfect
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was precedingprogressive singular
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were precedingprogressive plural
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had been precedingperfect progressive
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precededsimple
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precededparticiple
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.
Putin called the note "rude" and refused the request for a meeting, reiterating his position that peace talks should precede any ceasefire.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
There are brief Mexican accents, such as the mariachi-style trumpets that precede the market scene.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
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
But at last with a great creaking and sighing he heaved up his enormous body, signed to the slaves to precede him with the lights and went out.
From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis
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.
