precede

[ pri-seed ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing.

1. to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time.
2. to introduce by something preliminary; preface:

   to precede one's statement with a qualification.

verb (used without object)

, pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing.

1. to go or come before.

noun

1. Journalism. copy printed at the beginning of a news story presenting late bulletins, editorial notes, or prefatory remarks.

precede

/ prɪˈsiːd /

verb

1. to go or be before (someone or something) in time, place, rank, etc
2. tr to preface or introduce

Other Words From

• pre·ced·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of precede¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preceden, from Latin praecēdere; pre-, cede

Word History and Origins

Origin of precede¹

C14: via Old French from Latin praecēdere to go before, from prae before + cēdere to move

Example Sentences

He had a special knife designed to cut the dense loaf, and a ceremony to precede cutting the cake.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, there are delicate negotiations that precede such an event.

From The Daily Beast

We see it as an appetizer that could precede a glorious banquet.

From The Daily Beast

To the invitation to precede him she readily responded, and, with a bow to the Seneschal, she began to walk across the apartment.

From Project Gutenberg

He made way for her to precede him in the narrow wood path, and then silently followed her up the glen.

From Project Gutenberg

As causes precede effects, the causal order and the time order generally coincide.

From Project Gutenberg

There was something almost ghastly in this terrific silence which could only precede some unnatural tumult.

From Project Gutenberg

It was only on the first landing that the servant stood aside with the tray to allow me to precede her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• predate
• presage