precedential

American  

[pres-i-den-shuhl] / ˌprɛs ɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of or constituting a precedent.

2. having precedence.

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precedential British  

/ ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or serving as a precedent

2. having precedence

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Other Word Forms

• nonprecedential adjective
• precedentially adverb
• unprecedential adjective

Etymology

Origin of precedential

First recorded in 1635–45; precedent + -ial

Example Sentences

City of Brandon was a straightforward precedential fix-it job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

“Trial court decisions have no precedential value in California; they bind the parties but not another court,” noted James Fischer, an insurance law expert and professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

He said he really did not understand what the Supreme Court was trying to say in its shadow docket orders, and wasn’t really sure that they were precedential.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

“Moreover, the office treats its prior memos as precedential — so understanding war powers law requires understanding these prior memos. Yet, until now, no one else has been able to see them.”

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022

“The court of appeals has said in a precedential opinion specifying the single-person rule applies to third-degree murder. … I feel it would be an abuse of discretion not to grant the motion.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2021