Precede: meaning, definitions and examples

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precede

[prɪˈsiːd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in time or order

To come before something in time or order; to be earlier or prior in time or sequence.

Synonyms

antecede, come before, go before, lead up to.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
precede	Best used in formal or academic contexts to describe something that comes before another event or item in time, order, or place. A brief introduction will precede the main lecture Events that precede the holiday season are often very busy
come before	Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate something happening earlier than something else, in either time or order. Breakfast comes before lunch In the alphabet, A comes before B
antecede	Primarily used in historical or academic texts to indicate something that existed or happened before something else. The age of sail anteceded the steamship era Various ancient civilizations anteceded the Roman Empire
go before	Often used in procedural or legal contexts to mean appearing in front of a group or authority first. The proposal will go before the committee next week He went before the judge to explain his actions
lead up to	Used to describe a series of events or actions that happen before a particular event, often building up to it. There were many meetings and discussions leading up to the final decision The days leading up to the wedding were filled with excitement

Examples of usage

The main course is preceded by a salad.
The meeting will be preceded by a short presentation.
His retirement was preceded by several years of planning.
The storm preceded a period of heavy rain.
She always insists on being preceded by her title.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in rank or importance

To come before someone in rank, position, or importance.

Synonyms

be superior to, outrank, take precedence over.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
precede	This word is used to indicate that something comes before something else in time, order, or importance. The speech will precede the award ceremony. A sudden drop in temperature often precedes a storm.
outrank	This term is primarily used in hierarchical or organizational contexts, often meaning that one person holds a higher position or rank than another. It can also be applied to things considered more important or higher in order. In the military, a captain outranks a lieutenant. In the company, she outranks most of the staff.
take precedence over	Use this phrase when indicating that one thing is considered more important and should be prioritized over another. It is suitable for formal or professional contexts. Safety regulations take precedence over convenience. In case of emergency, medical needs take precedence over routine tasks.
be superior to	This phrase is used to indicate that one thing or person is better in quality or rank than another. It highlights a comparison in terms of value or importance. His performance was superior to that of his colleagues. This method is superior to the one we used before.

Examples of usage

The CEO is preceded by the board of directors.
Tradition dictates that the eldest son should precede his siblings in inheritance.
His reputation as a great leader preceded him wherever he went.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'praecedere', where 'prae' means 'before' and 'cedere' means 'to go' or 'to yield'.
It entered the English language in the 15th century, evolving from the Old French 'preceder'.
In its usage today, it has maintained the core meaning of coming before in time or space.

Linguistics

In grammar, 'precede' is often used to denote how words or phrases come in a specific sequence within sentences.
It can be used with different parts of speech, highlighting its versatility in language.
Synonyms like 'anticipate' or 'forego' carry similar meanings but may not always convey the sequencing aspect.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, having traditions that precede modern practices is a way to honor history.
Ceremonies often include precedents, such as rituals that come before a significant event like weddings.
The concept of 'precedence' is significant in legal terms, where past cases guide new decisions.

Education

In academics, knowing how concepts precede one another helps in understanding complex subjects.
Curriculum design often ensures foundational topics precede advanced lessons to build knowledge effectively.
In discussions, establishing that one point precedes another can clarify arguments during debates.

Technology

In programming, the order of operations is crucial; code that precedes a certain command can alter the outcome.
Software updates may include features that precede older versions, improving functionality over time.
Timing in processes like data transfer relies on ensuring that commands not only follow logically but correctly precede actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "precede" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preceder

🇮🇳 पूर्ववर्ति होना

🇩🇪 vorangehen

🇮🇩 mendahului

🇺🇦 передувати

🇵🇱 poprzedzać

🇯🇵 先行する (せんこうする)

🇫🇷 précéder

🇪🇸 preceder

🇹🇷 önce gelmek

🇰🇷 앞서다

🇸🇦 سبق

🇨🇿 předcházet

🇸🇰 predchádzať

🇨🇳 先于 (xiānyú)

🇸🇮 predhajati

🇮🇸 fara á undan

🇰🇿 алдын ала

🇬🇪 წინსვლა

🇦🇿 əvvəlcədən getmək

🇲🇽 preceder

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,918, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10915 amazement
10916 rue
10917 stabilize
10918 precede
10919 hug
10920 incubated
10921 nasty
...