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

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 notes

In 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.

Easily confused with

seed → secede

Common pairings

cede territory cede ground cede control cede power

Word Forms

ceded past tense, cedes singular

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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."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for cede

Dede Fede swede suede Kaede recede impede precede concede Ganymede stampede centipede

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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.".