precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpre-sə-dən(t)s 
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
pri-ˈsē-dᵊn(t)s
1
a
: priority of importance
your safety takes precedence
b
: the right to superior honor on a ceremonial or formal occasion
c
: the order of ceremonial or formal preference
2
a
: the fact of coming or occurring earlier in time
b
obsolete
: antecedent
Examples of precedence in a Sentence
Americans, Adams now believed, were as driven by the passions for wealth and precedence as any people in history. Ambition, avarice, and resentment, not virtue and benevolence, were the stuff of American society.
—
Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
So, too, did most accept that all economies are characterized by struggles for power and precedence among men and institutions run by men; in other words, that all economies are fundamentally political in nature.
—Barry C. Lynn, Harper's, July 2006
Jefferson abolished precedence and placement at White House dinners to emphasize that all guests were equal, but his system—he called it "pell-mell"—was abandoned, and we have guests of honor and use place cards today.
—Naomi Bliven, New York Times Book Review, 12 Sept. 1999
his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
So, too, did most accept that all economies are characterized by struggles for power and precedence among men and institutions run by men; in other words, that all economies are fundamentally political in nature.
—Barry C. Lynn, Harper's, July 2006
Jefferson abolished precedence and placement at White House dinners to emphasize that all guests were equal, but his system—he called it "pell-mell"—was abandoned, and we have guests of honor and use place cards today.
—Naomi Bliven, New York Times Book Review, 12 Sept. 1999
his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
Recent Examples on the Web
With so little time to play, efficiency takes precedence.
—Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024
Responsible financial management should take precedence over expanding debt.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
Although debt can be stressful, your basic needs, such as housing and food, should take precedence over aggressive debt repayment during this time.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The small crews have to cover almost 400 square miles and any emergency calls have to take precedence over parking enforcement, Fulton said.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence 
Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024
Responsible financial management should take precedence over expanding debt.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
Although debt can be stressful, your basic needs, such as housing and food, should take precedence over aggressive debt repayment during this time.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The small crews have to cover almost 400 square miles and any emergency calls have to take precedence over parking enforcement, Fulton said.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for precedence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precedence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Precedence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precedence. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precedence
noun
pre·ce·dence
ˈpres-əd-ən(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s
pri-ˈsēd-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the act or fact of preceding (as in time)
2
: consideration based on order of importance : priority
your safety takes precedence
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