What does precedential mean?
Precedential is a formal adjective meaning that something serves as a precedent or relates to an earlier authority. In legal discussion, a precedential decision may guide a court or tribunal when deciding a later case, although whether a ruling is binding can depend on the court and jurisdiction involved. More generally, the word means preceding in time, order, or importance. It is noticeably less common than predecessor, precedent, or previous and sounds technical when used outside legal or historical writing. The word belongs to a family that includes precede, precedent, and precedence, all derived from Latin expressions meaning to go before. Its usefulness lies in its ability to describe not merely something earlier in sequence, but something earlier that may also provide a model or authority for what comes afterward.
adjectiveServing as a precedent or relating to a precedent. Also, preceding in time, order, or importance.
- Serving as or relating to a precedent.
- Preceding in time, order, or importance.
"The court considered the earlier ruling as precedential guidance for the current dispute."
"The judge regarded the statute as precedential in interpreting the later legislation."
"Owing to its precedential position in the series, the opening lecture introduced the entire course."
Precedential comes from the same Latin idea as precedent: something that comes before and may guide what follows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does precedential come from?
Precedential entered English in the early 17th century from Latin praecedent-, a form related to praecedere, meaning “to go before.” That Latin verb combines prae-, meaning “before,” with cedere, meaning “go.” The same root produced precede, precedent, and precedence in English.
Related word forms
How precedential is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word. Its first sense is especially associated with legal and argumentative language, while its sense of preceding in order or importance is more general.
Easily confused with precedential
A precedent is an earlier case or decision used as an authority, whereas precedential is an adjective describing something that serves as or relates to such an authority.