adj · 2 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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/ˌpɹɛsəˈdɛnʃəl/
rhymes with -ɛnʃəl
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having the force of precedent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adjective satellite
Meaning 2
having precedence (especially because of longer service)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
precedential treatment for senior members of the firm
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English precedent Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisder. Old French -ialder. Middle English -ial English -ial English precedential From precedent + -ial.