precedence

American  

[pres-i-duhns, pri-seed-ns] / ˈprɛs ɪ dəns, prɪˈsid ns /

noun

1. act or fact of preceding. preceding.

2. the right to precede in order, rank, or importance; priority.

3. the fact of preceding preceding in time; antedating.

4. the right to precede others in ceremonies or social formalities.

5. the order to be observed in ceremonies by persons of different ranks, as by diplomatic protocol.

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precedence British  

/ ˈprɛsɪdəns /

noun

1. the act of preceding or the condition of being precedent

2. the ceremonial order or priority to be observed by persons of different stations on formal occasions

   the officers are seated according to precedence

3. a right to preferential treatment

   I take precedence over you

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Etymology

Origin of precedence

First recorded in 1475–85; preced(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Few could say they were surprised by the nine changes after the Portuguese had hinted in his pre-match comments that surviving in the Premier League took precedence.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

A negative correlation, like the one seen now, indicates fears of inflation are dominating, while a positive correlation would suggest growth risks are taking precedence.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy didn’t work, she said, and doctor appointments, therapy and insurance issues took precedence over home repairs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Eswar Prasad: I haven’t been entirely surprised because I could see that there are certain economic prerogatives of the current administration that seemed to take precedence over many other considerations.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

But in 1684, Halley’s affairs were thrown into confusion by the death of his father and the project was abandoned for many years, as other matters took precedence.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin