precede

verb

pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd How to pronounce precede (audio)
preceded; preceding
Synonyms of precedenext

transitive verb

1
: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2
: to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3
: to be earlier than
4
: to cause to be preceded : preface

intransitive verb

: to go or come before

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of precede in a Sentence

Minutes before 10:30 p.m. in China, the stadium pulsed with the emotions that always precede a 100-meter final. — Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat … — Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact. — Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Commerce Department data for February covers a period that largely precedes Trump's tariffs, though the reading arrives amid a bout of accelerating inflation that stretches back to the final months of the Biden administration. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025 Therefore, if an eruption occurred, it would be preceded by additional signals allowing warning. — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 More news: Jade Cargill Involved In Backstage Confrontation With WWE Star: Report Riddle's transition to professional wrestling was preceded by a short but impactful stint in mixed martial arts. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 That will be preceded by an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony expected to be attended by past and present military and government leaders. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precede

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French preceder, from Latin praecedere, from prae- pre- + cedere to go

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precede was in the 15th century

Rhymes for precede

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Browse Nearby Words

precedable
precede
precedence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

precede

verb
pre·​cede pri-ˈsēd How to pronounce precede (audio)
preceded; preceding
: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)

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