What does preceding mean?
Preceding describes whatever comes before another person, thing, event, or passage of text in time, order, or position. It is especially common in formal writing, where it may refer to an earlier page or paragraph, a preceding period in history, or the portion of a sequence that comes immediately before something else. The phrase “immediately preceding” identifies the nearest earlier item in a sequence, while “the preceding chapter” usually means the chapter before the one being discussed. Preceding can also function as the present participle of the verb “precede,” as in “the decades preceding the reform.” The word is useful when an earlier item must be identified without specifying an exact date or introducing potentially awkward repetition of “previous.” Its Latin roots, prae- and cedere, express the basic idea of going or coming before.
Going before something in space, time, order, or sequence.
"The map shows the three districts preceding the river."
Often used attributively before nouns such as “chapter,” “paragraph,” “century,” and “period.”
An earlier instance, statement, period, or thing; a predecessor.
"Unlike the preceding, the current proposal addresses the issue directly."
Normally used with a determiner, especially “the,” and is somewhat literary.
The present participle of precede, used to indicate action or existence before another event or action.
"The years preceding the outbreak were marked by severe drought."
Common in phrases ending in a prepositional phrase, such as “preceding the war” or “preceding his arrival.”
Preceding comes from the Latin prae, meaning “before,” and cedere, meaning “to go”—literally, “going before.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does preceding come from?
Preceding derives from Latin praecedere, formed from prae, “before,” and cedere, “to go.” The English form developed through the Latin participle praecedens, meaning “going before.” Related English words include precede, cede, accede, and recession, all involving the Latin root cedere.
Related word forms
How preceding is actually used
The adjective is common in formal and academic writing. In edited prose, “preceding” often avoids repetition of “previous,” although repeated forms of “previous” are usually acceptable. As a present participle, it is standard in constructions such as “the years preceding the war.”
Easily confused with preceding
Preceding means occurring or appearing before something, whereas proceeding means continuing or taking place, especially as part of an event.