preceding

American  

[pri-see-ding] / prɪˈsi dɪŋ /

adjective

1. that precedes; previous.

   Refer back to the footnote on the preceding page.

   Synonyms:

   former, prior, foregoing

   Antonyms:

   following, succeeding

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preceding British  

/ prɪˈsiːdɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) going or coming before; former

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Usage

What does preceding mean? Preceding means coming before. A close synonym is previous.As an adjective, preceding is always used before a noun, as in the preceding chapter. Preceding can also be used as the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb precede, which means to come before.In most cases, the opposite of preceding is following, meaning coming after. For example, if you’re reading Chapter 7, the preceding chapter is Chapter 6, and the following chapter is Chapter 8.Example: The seventh book in the series features many of the same characters as the six preceding novels.

Etymology

Origin of preceding

First recorded in 1485–95; precede + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“Comfort” is one of 2020’s defining terms, along with “horror,” “unprecedented,” “anxiety,” “insomnia” and a barge’s worth of negative words that speak to the tire yard fire that is the preceding 12 months.

From Salon

“Such a plateau is frustrating after seeing significant disinflation in the preceding few years.”

From Barron's

The week preceding the main draws was once a peaceful time, with sparse crowds watching qualifying and the players practising behind closed doors.

From BBC

Like with the preceding rally, it’d be fair to say the pullback has run too far, too fast, the strategist says.

From The Wall Street Journal

There have been more sign-ups in the past month than in the three months preceding it.

From Barron's

Related Words

• introductory
• previous
• prior