precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpre-sə-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

Synonyms

• priority
• right-of-way

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

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

Word History

Etymology

see precede

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing precedence

• give precedence to
• have/take precedence over

Kids Definition

precedence

noun

pre·​ce·​dence ˈpres-əd-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