verb
cede
seed
Cede (verb) means to formally give up land, rights, or power to someone else. Example: “The treaty forced the country to cede a large stretch of territory.”
verb
1
To formally give up land, rights, or power to someone else.
"The treaty forced the country to cede a large stretch of territory."
"She reluctantly ceded control of the company to the new board."
How to use cede
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hand over or surrender something, often formally.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "seed" (they sound alike) — cede always means to give up or yield something.
Common pairings
cede territory
cede ground
cede control
cede power
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cedes
- Past tense
- ceded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The treaty forced the country to _____ a large stretch of territory.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French ceder, from Latin cedere ("to yield, withdraw") — the same root behind "concede," "precede," and "recede."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cede
See all rhymes for cede →Frequently asked questions
What does “cede” mean?
The word “cede” means to formally give up land, rights, or power to someone else. In plain terms, to hand over or surrender something, often formally.
How do you pronounce “cede”?
“Cede” is pronounced seed (/siːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “cede” in a sentence?
Here is “cede” used in a sentence: “The treaty forced the country to cede a large stretch of territory.”
What part of speech is “cede”?
“Cede” is a verb.
Where does the word “cede” come from?
The word “cede” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Middle French ceder, from Latin cedere ("to yield, withdraw") — the same root behind "concede," "precede," and "recede.".
