precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s 
pri-ˈsē-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
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
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
Your self-care also takes precedence during this Venus transit, and your self-love rituals go a long way.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2024
Strategy and patience are important to him, but opportunity always takes precedence.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 3 Aug. 2024
The company is seeking to strike deals at a time when publishers, the music industry, and more are grappling with the legality of AI bots and looking to set precedence.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 31 July 2024
Educational barriers, weak legislation and historical precedence can also lead to these labor practices.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence 
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2024
Strategy and patience are important to him, but opportunity always takes precedence.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 3 Aug. 2024
The company is seeking to strike deals at a time when publishers, the music industry, and more are grappling with the legality of AI bots and looking to set precedence.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 31 July 2024
Educational barriers, weak legislation and historical precedence can also lead to these labor practices.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precedence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to precedence
Dictionary Entries Near precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share