set a precedent

Idioms

Establish a usage, tradition, or standard to be followed in the future. For example, He set a precedent by having the chaplain lead the academic procession. The word precedent here signifies a previous instance or legal decision upon which future instances are based, a usage dating from the early 1400s. In British and American law it more specifically refers to a legal decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent cases.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The $6 million verdict may set a precedent for over 2,000 federal cases and thousands of state lawsuits against social media firms.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev also wondered whether the move would set a precedent for other technology companies.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

That decision applied to an old historic district but could set a precedent for the entire island.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

“We want to set a precedent that prioritizes teen safety while still offering young users opportunities to discover, play and create,” the company said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025

Apollo set a precedent for the future in another interesting way.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023