noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈpɹɛsɪd(ə)ns/
/pɹɪˈsiːd(ə)ns/
Australia, New-Zealand:/ˈpɹiːsɪd(ə)ns/
CMU ARPABET:P R EH1 S AH0 D AH0 N S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The state of preceding in importance or priority.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Family takes precedence over work, in an emergency.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Precedent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: precession, precedency
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: activity
4
noun
Meaning 4
preceding in time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
