Dictionary.com

precede

[ pri-seed ]
/ prɪˈsid /
See synonyms for: precede / preceded / precedes / preceding on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing.

to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time.
to introduce by something preliminary; preface: to precede one's statement with a qualification.

verb (used without object), pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing.

to go or come before.

noun

Journalism. copy printed at the beginning of a news story presenting late bulletins, editorial notes, or prefatory remarks.

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Origin of precede

1325–75; Middle English preceden<Latin praecēdere.See pre-, cede

OTHER WORDS FROM precede

pre·ced·a·ble, adjectiveun·pre·ced·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH precede

precede , proceed
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to precede

predate, foreshadow, anticipate, presage, head, harbinger, lead, pioneer, time, introduce, herald, pace, scout, usher, rank, preface, antedate, guide, antecede, outrank

Example sentences from the Web for precede

  • An Arctic night—unpreceded by twilight—fell, and there dawned the sabbath of the witches.

    The Big Bow Mystery|I. Zangwill

British Dictionary definitions for precede

precede
/ (prɪˈsiːd) /

verb

to go or be before (someone or something) in time, place, rank, etc
(tr) to preface or introduce

Word Origin for precede

C14: via Old French from Latin praecēdere to go before, from prae before + cēdere to move
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