precede — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To go before, go in front of.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Cultural genocide precedes physical genocide.

   But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe / Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem / Of our integritie

   More examples (2)

   This is the custom of sending on a basket-woman, who is to precede the pomp at a coronation, and to strew the stage with flowers, before the great personages begin their procession.

   An interesting feature in the weeks preceding the diversions was the provision of a road-learning train to familiarise main line drivers with the alternative route.

2. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   It has been usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration communicated to the enemy.

3. To have higher rank than (someone or something else).

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. Brief editorial preface (usually to an article or essay).

Verb

1. be earlier in time; go back further

   Synonyms

   predateforegoforgoantecedeantedate

   Broader terms

   come before

   Examples

   Stone tools precede bronze tools

2. come before

   Synonyms

   predate

   Broader terms

   lie

   Examples

   Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify

3. be the predecessor of

   Synonyms

   come before

   Antonyms

   succeed

   Broader terms

   come

   Examples

   Bill preceded John in the long line of Susan's husbands

4. move ahead (of others) in time or space

   Synonyms

   lead

   Antonyms

   follow

   Broader terms

   travelgomovelocomote

5. furnish with a preface or introduction

   Synonyms

   prefacepremiseintroduce

   Broader terms

   statesaytell

   Examples

   She always precedes her lectures with a joke

   He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution