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
The Children’s Pool is the habitat of sea lions and those animals take precedence over any human inconvenience.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Red states like Texas (now the U.S. leader in wind/solar development) and Georgia (the EV battery hub) will paradoxically fuel the energy transition; bluntly, jobs will take precedence over ideology.
—Tobias Van Gils, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The warning comes as officials have argued that state laws take precedence over a federal mandate recently issued by President Donald Trump.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Licensed therapists say the roommate phase is common in long-term relationships and marriages, particularly when external stressors such as work, children and daily responsibilities take precedence over intimacy.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
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U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Red states like Texas (now the U.S. leader in wind/solar development) and Georgia (the EV battery hub) will paradoxically fuel the energy transition; bluntly, jobs will take precedence over ideology.
—Tobias Van Gils, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The warning comes as officials have argued that state laws take precedence over a federal mandate recently issued by President Donald Trump.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Licensed therapists say the roommate phase is common in long-term relationships and marriages, particularly when external stressors such as work, children and daily responsibilities take precedence over intimacy.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precedence
Articles Related to precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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
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