noun

precedent

PREHS-ih-duhnt

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."

adj

Coming before in time or order.

"The precedent events help explain what happened next."

How to Use Precedent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn earlier example or decision that gets used as a rule or model for future situations, especially in law.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "precedence" (priority/importance) — "precedent" is a past example used to guide future decisions.

Easily confused with

precedence →

Common pairings

set a precedent legal precedent without precedent

precedented past tense, precedents plural, precedents singular

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The ruling set a legal _____ that other courts would later follow.

From Latin "praecedens," the present participle of "praecedere" ("to precede") — see "precede."

decedent