verb
precede
prih-SEED
verb
1
To come before something else in time, order, or position.
"A round of introductions preceded the main presentation."
"Dark clouds preceded the storm by about an hour."
How to Use Precede
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo happen or exist before something else.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "proceed," which means to continue or move forward — "precede" is about coming first, "proceed" is about carrying on.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
preceded past tense, precedes plural, precedes singular
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A round of introductions _____ the main presentation.
Etymology
From Latin "praecedere," combining "prae-" ("before") and "cedere" ("to go") — literally "to go before."