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definitions

precedence

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

RELATED WORDS

supremacy, lead, preeminence, primary, rank, priority, superiority, preference, seniority, antecedence, precedency, precession, earliness, anteposition

Nearby words

  1. precautionary,
  2. precautionary principle,
  3. precautious,
  4. precava,
  5. precede,
  6. precedency,
  7. precedent,
  8. precedented,
  9. precedential,
  10. preceding

Origin of precedence

First recorded in 1475–85; preced(ent) + -ence
Can be confusedprecedence precedents presidents
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for precedence

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
Word Origin and History for precedence

precedence

n.

late 15c., "a being a precedent," from precedent (n.) + -ence. Meaning "fact of preceding another, right of preceding another" is from c.1600.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper