precedence

[ pres-i-duh ns, pri-seed-ns ]

/ ˈprɛs ɪ dəns, prɪˈsid ns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR precedence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

act or fact of preceding.

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

the fact of preceding in time; antedating.

the right to precede others in ceremonies or social formalities.

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

Nearby words

precautionary, precautionary principle, precautious, precava, precede, precedence, precedency, precedent, precedented, precedential, preceding

Origin of precedence

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

Can be confused

precedence precedents presidents

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for precedence

He filmed that part, too, with the host performing parody songs around Los Angeles to establish a precedence of parodic works.
Nathan Fielder’s Business Theater: ‘Dumb Starbucks’ Wasn’t a Prank|Rich Goldstein|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They taught that "the interests of the poor have precedence over the interests of the rich."
Avoiding Sodom: It's About Policy, Not Charity|Gershom Gorenberg|September 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Order of Precedence also affects many other aspects of royal protocol, such as who arrives first at an event.
Queen Orders That Kate Must Curtsey to 'Blood Princesses'|Tom Sykes|June 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sherman has always acknowledged the contact, so maybe the whole issue of precedence is a dead letter.
An Artist’s Early Climax|Blake Gopnik|May 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The idea had originally come from Buckingham Palace; that boys should no longer have precedence in the succession over girls.
The Real Reason Why Kate Isn't Pregnant Yet?|Robert Lacey|May 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He took their abuse very coolly, settling the dispute by making the auld wives draw lots for precedence.
Flora Lyndsay|Susanna Moodie
They still stood on the brink, discussing the question of precedence.
The Free Lances|Mayne Reid
But these are the more palpable shapes of this desire for Precedence.
Humanity in the City|E. H. Chapin
If rival shippers came together and neither was willing to yield to the other, a fight probably settled the rights of precedence.
Great Inventions and Discoveries|Willis Duff Piercy
But, scarlet fever or no scarlet fever, the pursuit of Appleweight had precedence of private grievances.
The Little Brown Jug at Kildare|Meredith Nicholson

British Dictionary definitions for precedence

precedence

precedency

/ (ˈprɛsɪdəns) /

noun

the act of preceding or the condition of being precedent

the ceremonial order or priority to be observed by persons of different stations on formal occasionsthe officers are seated according to precedence

a right to preferential treatmentI take precedence over you

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012