precedential

American  

[pres-i-den-shuhl] / ˌprɛs ɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of or constituting a precedent.

2. having precedence.

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precedential British  

/ ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or serving as a precedent

2. having precedence

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Other Word Forms

• nonprecedential adjective
• precedentially adverb
• unprecedential adjective

Etymology

Origin of precedential

First recorded in 1635–45; precedent + -ial

Example Sentences

City of Brandon was a straightforward precedential fix-it job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

“Trial court decisions have no precedential value in California; they bind the parties but not another court,” noted James Fischer, an insurance law expert and professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

“This is a precedential system which goes both ways — if you win or lose — and sends a signal to the market,” Ms. Allensworth said.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2022

That distinction, he wrote, “lacks a meaningful application not only in theory, but in practice as well,” tossing it in the precedential dumpster.

From Slate • Jun. 21, 2022

“The court of appeals has said in a precedential opinion specifying the single-person rule applies to third-degree murder. … I feel it would be an abuse of discretion not to grant the motion.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2021