precedent

[ noun pres-i-duhnt; adjective pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duhnt ]

/ noun ˈprɛs ɪ dənt; adjective prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt /

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See synonyms for: precedent / precedents on Thesaurus.com

noun

Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.

any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations.

adjective pre·ce·dent

[pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duhnt] /prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt/

going or coming before; preceding; anterior.

OTHER WORDS FOR precedent

2 example, model, pattern, standard.

See synonyms for precedent on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of precedent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (adjective), from Middle French, from Latin praecēdent- (stem of praecēdēns ), present participle of praecēdere “to go in front of, go ahead of”; the noun is from the adjective; see precede, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM precedent

prec·e·dent·less, adjectivenon·prec·e·dent, nounnon·pre·ced·ent, adjectivequa·si-pre·ced·ent, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH precedent

precedence, precedents , presidents

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use precedent in a sentence

In 1964 Jackie Kennedy was just 35, the widow of a first-term president, when she began setting historical precedents of her own.
Jackie Kennedy’s Return to Arlington|Nicolaus Mills|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Doubtless, Putin recalls these salient precedents on his own borders when he thinks about Crimea.
Cut the Baloney on Ukraine|Leslie H. Gelb|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Historical parallels and precedents for social media abound.
Social Media is So Old Even the Romans Had It|Nick Romeo|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This is about a health-care law that is reality and the setting of precedents on executive power.
Washington’s Other Car Crash: Obama vs. the Boehner Rule|Michael Tomasky|October 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Ironically, almost all the precedents he mentions demonstrate the need for partition of one kind or another.
Partition Skepticism and the Future of the Peace Process|Avner Inbar, Assaf Sharon|September 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for or against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Distinctions were drawn; precedents were cited; and at length the question was put, that Mr. Montague do withdraw.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Throughout his two terms, he created precedents and made decisions of lasting value for the United States.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
In conformity with precedents, the coronation was distinguished by the grant of new honours.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
According to all precedents the battle should have ended in an Indian rout by the time the sun crossed the meridian.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

British Dictionary definitions for precedent

precedent

noun (ˈprɛsɪdənt)

law a judicial decision that serves as an authority for deciding a later case

an example or instance used to justify later similar occurrences

adjective (prɪˈsiːdənt, ˈprɛsɪdənt)

preceding

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

Cultural definitions for precedent

precedent

[ (press-uh-duhnt) ]

A previous ruling by a court that influences subsequent decisions in cases with similar issues.

Other Idioms and Phrases with precedent

precedent

see set a precedent.

precedent

OTHER WORDS FOR precedent

Origin of precedent

OTHER WORDS FROM precedent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH precedent

Words related to precedent

How to use precedent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precedent

Cultural definitions for precedent

Other Idioms and Phrases with precedent