noun
Uncommon
precedence
PREH-sihdns
Precedence (noun) means the condition of being more important or coming first in priority. Example: “Safety takes precedence over speed on this job site.”
noun
1
The condition of being more important or coming first in priority.
"Safety takes precedence over speed on this job site."
How to use precedence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing first in importance or rank — what gets dealt with or considered first.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "precedent," a noun meaning an earlier case used as an example — "precedence" is about priority, "precedent" is about a past example.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take precedence
order of precedence
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Word forms
- Plural
- precedences
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Safety takes _____ over speed on this job site.
Etymology
From French "précédence," built on "precede" plus the noun suffix "-ence."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for precedence
See all rhymes for precedence →Frequently asked questions
What does “precedence” mean?
The word “precedence” means the condition of being more important or coming first in priority. In plain terms, being first in importance or rank — what gets dealt with or considered first.
How do you pronounce “precedence”?
“Precedence” is pronounced PREH-sihdns (/ˈpɹɛsɪd(ə)ns/ in IPA).
How do you use “precedence” in a sentence?
Here is “precedence” used in a sentence: “Safety takes precedence over speed on this job site.”
What is another word for “precedence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precedence” include anteriority.
What part of speech is “precedence”?
“Precedence” is a noun.
Where does the word “precedence” come from?
The word “precedence” comes from French. From French "précédence," built on "precede" plus the noun suffix "-ence.".
Is “precedence” a common word?
“Precedence” is an uncommon word in modern English.
