What does precede mean?
Precede is a formal verb meaning to come before something else in time, order, sequence, or rank. It is commonly used to describe what happens before an event, what appears earlier in a list, or what has a higher position in a hierarchy. For example, a short introduction may precede a lecture, and a short vowel may precede a consonant in a word. The word is usually transitive, as in “The opening ceremony preceded the concert,” but it can also stand alone: “The two teams’ records were equal; one preceded the other in the standings.” Although precede has a somewhat formal tone, it is clear and useful in academic, historical, and organizational writing. Its antonyms, follow and succeed, reverse the relationship by placing something after or later than the headword’s subject.
verbTo come before something in time, sequence, order, or rank. It can also mean to exist or occur before a particular event or person.
- To come before something in time, sequence, order, or rank.
- To exist or occur before a particular event, person, or stage.
"A brief introduction precedes the main performance."
"The ancient settlement is believed to have preceded the arrival of the first recorded dynasty."
"In the alphabet, the letter J precedes K, while the chapter title precedes the list of contributors."
To precede something is to set the stage for it: the first event in a sequence can influence everything that follows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does precede come from?
The English word comes from Latin praecedere, formed from prae-, meaning “before,” and cedere, meaning “to go.” The Latin verb referred to going ahead of or arriving before someone or something. The word entered English through Latin usage and developed its modern sense of coming before in time or order. Related English words include precedent, predecessor, antecedent, and proceed, all associated with the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How precede is actually used
Precede is formal and widely used in writing, especially for chronology, organization, and comparison. It is usually transitive, though it can also occur in constructions such as “the years preceding the war.”
Easily confused with precede
Precede means to come before something, whereas proceed means to continue or move forward.