precedence

[ pres-i-duhns, pri-seed-ns ]

noun

1. act or fact of preceding. preceding.
2. the right to precede in order, rank, or importance; priority.
3. the fact of preceding preceding in time; antedating.
4. the right to precede others in ceremonies or social formalities.
5. the order to be observed in ceremonies by persons of different ranks, as by diplomatic protocol.

precedence

/ ˈprɛsɪdəns /

noun

1. the act of preceding or the condition of being precedent
2. the ceremonial order or priority to be observed by persons of different stations on formal occasions

   the officers are seated according to precedence

3. a right to preferential treatment

   I take precedence over you

Word History and Origins

Origin of precedence¹

First recorded in 1475–85; preced(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Even if you could separate the two, I don’t believe that aesthetic criticisms should necessarily take precedence over representational ones.

From Time

Realism in foreign policy reflects a messy, dangerous world where too little can be distilled into clear-cut moral absolutes, and thus national interest takes precedence over universal values.

From Time

The quality of information you're handing out to them so they can make important decisions about how to live their lives should take precedence over some scandalous thing that gets attention.

From Washington Post

He respected Aristotle but taught that experiment took precedence over authority.

From Nautilus

It should be also noted that the Display part of the SSC also has precedence over the Display campaigns in the account.

From Search Engine Land

He filmed that part, too, with the host performing parody songs around Los Angeles to establish a precedence of parodic works.

From The Daily Beast

The Vampire Diaries sets an unrealistic precedence for both magical creatures and teenage hotness in small town America.

From The Daily Beast

They seethed at the way Obama had submitted to Republican demands that budget balancing take precedence over job creation.

From The Daily Beast

Phenomena like the Tea Party are not without precedence on the American political landscape.

From The Daily Beast

Foxman argues that it is “sensible public policy” to give precedence to the U.S.-Israel “special relationship” in such matters.

From The Daily Beast

We have already arranged our order of precedence, and monsieur has the pleasure of first crossing swords with me.

From Project Gutenberg

The fight for precedence was savage, though no one spoke; but now and then fainting men begged to be released.

From Project Gutenberg

Ollus ex aedibus effertur.3 Questions of order and precedence were settled by one of the undertakers (dsgntor).

From Project Gutenberg

Neither the fencing dispute nor the question of the Hafod Unos had taken nominal precedence of this.

From Project Gutenberg

Then each one dips in his spoon in the order of precedence, and eats as much as he can.

From Project Gutenberg