preceding

[ pri-see-ding ]

adjective

1. that precedes; previous:

   Refer back to the footnote on the preceding page.

   Synonyms: former, prior, foregoing

   Antonyms: following, succeeding

preceding

/ prɪˈsiːdɪŋ /

adjective

1. prenominal going or coming before; former

Word History and Origins

Origin of preceding¹

First recorded in 1485–95; precede + -ing ²

Example Sentences

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

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

In the days preceding his retirement, Justice Chandrachud addressed some of the criticism in interactions with the media.

From BBC

Despite having an automated top-up account to cover the crossing fee, Rachel, who lives in Hornchurch, received six penalty notices in the preceding months.

From BBC

In the days preceding the World Series, we were pummeled with references to the rivalry between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• introductory
• previous
• prior

More About Preceding

What does preceding mean?

Preceding means coming before. A close synonym is previous.

As an adjective, preceding is always used before a noun, as in the preceding chapter. 

Preceding can also be used as the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb precede, which means to come before.

In most cases, the opposite of preceding is following, meaning coming after. For example, if you’re reading Chapter 7, the preceding chapter is Chapter 6, and the following chapter is Chapter 8.

Example: The seventh book in the series features many of the same characters as the six preceding novels.

Where does preceding come from?

The first records of the word preceding as an adjective come from the late 1400s. Its base word, the verb precede, comes from the Latin praecēdere, meaning “to go before,” from prae-, “before,” and cēdere, “to move.”

When something is described as preceding, it is usually being discussed in reference to what follows or has followed it. Preceding is most commonly applied to things in a series. The word previous means the same thing, but it’s used more broadly—you’re more likely to say the previous year or the previous meeting than the preceding year or the preceding meeting.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to preceding?

• precede (verb)

What are some synonyms for preceding?

• previous
• precedent (when precedent is used as an adjective)
• prior
• foregoing
• former
• earlier

What are some words that share a root or word element with preceding? 

 

• precedent
• succeed
• proceed
• secede

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing preceding?

 

• following
• chapter
• program
• sentence
• period
• week
• month

What are some words preceding may be commonly confused with?

 

• proceeding

 

How is preceding used in real life?

Preceding is commonly used to describe the previous item in a series or succession.

Textbook: the preceding chapter will allow us to answer the homework
Reality: requires a Phd. tutor, a supercomputer, and Poseidon's Trident

— Jake Smith (@6ft6JakeSmith) February 19, 2013

#ScienceSaturday: Mayo Clinic's Research News Roundup is published each month. This article includes brief summaries and links to news releases from the preceding month that discuss some of the latest #MedicalResearch. https://t.co/jddY5D6WsW pic.twitter.com/ThmaY8qhZW

— Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic) July 14, 2018

The following sentence is true. The preceding sentence is false.

— Tanya Osterman (@TanyaOsterman) September 10, 2020

 

 

Try using preceding!

Is preceding used correctly in the following sentence?

We earned more in April than in the three preceding months.