preceded; preceding
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
: to go or come before
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.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
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.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eight of the album’s singles that preceded the LP’s release made the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
These waves are often preceded or accompanied by an uptick in M&A activity.
—Lisya Bahar Manoah, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The open-air screening will be preceded by a live concert featuring the film’s musicians, including Arthur H.
Les Films du Losange will distribute the film in France and is handling international sales.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 May 2025
Breathe’s title cut preceded it as a single, crowning Hot Country Songs for six weeks and reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100 — and wrapping 2000 as the year’s top Hot 100 song.
—Jim Asker, Billboard, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
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.
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
These waves are often preceded or accompanied by an uptick in M&A activity.
—Lisya Bahar Manoah, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The open-air screening will be preceded by a live concert featuring the film’s musicians, including Arthur H.
Les Films du Losange will distribute the film in France and is handling international sales.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 May 2025
Breathe’s title cut preceded it as a single, crowning Hot Country Songs for six weeks and reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100 — and wrapping 2000 as the year’s top Hot 100 song.
—Jim Asker, Billboard, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
Cite this Entry
“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precede
verb
pre·cede
pri-ˈsēd 
preceded; preceding
: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share