precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s  pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: priority of importance

your safety takes precedence

b

: the right to superior honor on a ceremonial or formal occasion

c

: the order of ceremonial or formal preference

2

a

: the fact of coming or occurring earlier in time

b

obsolete : antecedent

Synonyms

• priority
• right-of-way

Examples of precedence in a Sentence

Americans, Adams now believed, were as driven by the passions for wealth and precedence as any people in history. Ambition, avarice, and resentment, not virtue and benevolence, were the stuff of American society. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006

So, too, did most accept that all economies are characterized by struggles for power and precedence among men and institutions run by men; in other words, that all economies are fundamentally political in nature. —Barry C. Lynn, Harper's, July 2006

Jefferson abolished precedence and placement at White House dinners to emphasize that all guests were equal, but his system—he called it "pell-mell"—was abandoned, and we have guests of honor and use place cards today. —Naomi Bliven, New York Times Book Review, 12 Sept. 1999

his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first

Recent Examples on the Web

But the mental health and physical well-being of players should take precedence over everything else. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Yes, maintaining other kitchen gadgets that take a bit more of a beating—like the glass stovetop, which shows all the splatter out in the open—can take precedence, but don’t let your other kitchen cleaning needs lead to a dirty microwave. —Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2024

The court sided with Chevron and other oil companies, ruling that state regulations took precedence over the county ban. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024

In the years since, the latter part has seemed to take precedence, as the current Administration has embraced protectionism—maintaining Trump’s tariffs on China and even adding to them. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see precede

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing precedence

• give precedence to
• have/take precedence over

Kids Definition

precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s  pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the act or fact of preceding (as in time)

2

: consideration based on order of importance : priority

your safety takes precedence