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
This week, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed that decision, allowing the 19th-century law to take precedence.
—Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
On the bottom this outfit speaks to comfortability, but on top style takes precedence.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Marinello said that further discussion is expected until a final decision is reached, possibly through an agreement, but noted the São Paulo Court of Justice has already made a strong statement, highlighting the precedence rights of the Brazilian firm.
—Angelica Mari, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Sheer neglect as much as war or fire could have destroyed the library during the centuries when Rome gained precedence and Alexandria crumbled.
—Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
There is precedence for national federations to be banned due to a country’s acts of aggression, as FIFA and UEFA both suspended the Russian Football Union for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
—Caroline Faraj, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024
The star of the show, however, just might be the pool and its indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant, Little Palm, where tropical drinks take precedence on the menu.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
To answer your question, internal applicants may indeed take precedence over external candidates based on an employer's recruitment strategy and specific hiring considerations.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024
Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
On the bottom this outfit speaks to comfortability, but on top style takes precedence.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Marinello said that further discussion is expected until a final decision is reached, possibly through an agreement, but noted the São Paulo Court of Justice has already made a strong statement, highlighting the precedence rights of the Brazilian firm.
—Angelica Mari, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Sheer neglect as much as war or fire could have destroyed the library during the centuries when Rome gained precedence and Alexandria crumbled.
—Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
There is precedence for national federations to be banned due to a country’s acts of aggression, as FIFA and UEFA both suspended the Russian Football Union for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
—Caroline Faraj, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024
The star of the show, however, just might be the pool and its indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant, Little Palm, where tropical drinks take precedence on the menu.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
To answer your question, internal applicants may indeed take precedence over external candidates based on an employer's recruitment strategy and specific hiring considerations.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024
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.
Word History
Phrases Containing precedence
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Dictionary Entries Near precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on precedence
Nglish: Translation of precedence for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of precedence for Arabic Speakers
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