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

It’s just the preceding rising action that feels a bit underwhelming.

From Los Angeles Times

What made them extraordinary were the events that preceded them.

From Los Angeles Times

Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Graham said Mr Rogers had been "ostracised" in the preceding days after a woman expressed discomfort about a sexual encounter between the pair.

From BBC

Rather surprisingly, the obligatory face-to-face between Tyson and Paul ended without any drama, but there was already enough of that in the hour and half that preceded it.

From BBC

But this is preceded by perimenopause, a phase of gradual decline in reproductive hormones that can last from anywhere between two to 10 years.

From BBC

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• predate
• presage