predate

American  

[pree-deyt] / ˈpriˈdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

predated, predating

1. to date before the actual time; antedate.

   He predated the check by three days.

2. to precede in date.

   a house that predates the Civil War.

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predate British  

/ priːˈdeɪt /

verb

1. to affix a date to (a document, paper, etc) that is earlier than the actual date

2. to assign a date to (an event, period, etc) that is earlier than the actual or previously assigned date of occurrence

3. to be or occur at an earlier date than; precede in time

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Etymology

Origin of predate

First recorded in 1860–65; pre- + date ¹

Example Sentences

In 2019, it was identified in the citywide survey of historic resources as a rare example of Shingle architecture that predates Hollywood’s consolidation with the city of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Recruitment is a collective failing - and predates Amorim by a long way.

From BBC

The sport, which predates hockey by several decades, was brought to Montreal by Scottish emigrants during the colonial period, more than a half-century before Canada became a country.

From Los Angeles Times

They are still dealing with loans that predated the changes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Robert told me recently that his favorite mix-up story predates my marriage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• outrank
• presage