Precedence

Pronunciation: /ˈprɛsɪdəns/

Definitions of precedence

noun the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank

Example Sentences

A1 In some cultures, family always takes precedence over work.

A2 Basic needs such as food and shelter should be given precedence in times of crisis.

B1 The safety of passengers should always take precedence over punctuality in the airline industry.

B2 When scheduling meetings, the CEO's availability should be given precedence over other employees.

C1 In legal matters, the precedence of previous court decisions can greatly influence the outcome of a case.

C2 The president's executive orders hold precedence over the decisions made by lower-level government officials.

Grammatical Forms of precedence

• plural: precedences
• comparative: more precedence
• superlative: most precedence
• present tense: precedes
• future tense: will precede
• perfect tense: has preceded
• continuous tense: is preceding
• singular: precedence
• positive degree: precedence
• infinitive: to precede
• gerund: preceding
• participle: preceded

Origin and Evolution of precedence

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'precedence' originated from the Latin word 'praecedentia', which is derived from the verb 'praecedere' meaning 'to go before'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'precedence' has retained its original meaning of 'the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else', but has also come to be used in various contexts such as in government, diplomacy, and etiquette.