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
Other vehicles have taken precedence for zero-emission development and production since RVs are such a small portion of the commercial vehicle market.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Other priorities are taking precedence on the to-do list.
—Eric Larsen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Dec. 2024
Amazon Prime Video The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
The houseguest from hell takes precedence in this fun adaptation of a Kaufman and Hart play, probably spied at a high school near you.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The process is meant to be easy and intuitive, so the customer journey often takes precedence over compliance.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence 
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.
Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Other priorities are taking precedence on the to-do list.
—Eric Larsen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Dec. 2024
Amazon Prime Video The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
The houseguest from hell takes precedence in this fun adaptation of a Kaufman and Hart play, probably spied at a high school near you.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The process is meant to be easy and intuitive, so the customer journey often takes precedence over compliance.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence
Articles Related to precedence
Dictionary Entries Near precedence
Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share