Examples of “precedent” in a Sentence

noun An earlier case, decision, or action used as a guide or justification for a similar one later.

• The ruling set a legal precedent that other courts would later follow.
• Allowing one exception could set a bad precedent for the whole team.
• There is no precedent for this kind of request in our office.

adj Coming before in time or order.

• The precedent events help explain what happened next.
• The precedent chapter explains the events described in this one.
• Check the precedent conditions before you begin the experiment.