preceded; preceding
1
: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2
: to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3
: to be earlier than
4
: to cause to be preceded : preface
: to go or come before
Examples of precede in a Sentence
Minutes before 10:30 p.m. in China, the stadium pulsed with the emotions that always precede a 100-meter final.
—
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 25 Aug. 2008
But research has now shown that so-called responses to rhythm actually precede the external beat. We anticipate the beat …
—Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2007
The print media ape the manners of television, and on television form precedes content, emotion replaces thought, legend substitutes for history, fiction dictates to fact.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 1998
Riots preceded the civil war.
She preceded him into the room.
The country became more conservative in the years that preceded his election.
The new mayor is very different from the person who preceded her in office.
The meeting was preceded by a brief welcoming speech.
The chairman preceded the meeting with a brief welcoming speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
His coalition has outlasted every Israeli government of the past six years, giving him time to restore Israel’s regional deterrence while avoiding substantial inquiry into the decision-making preceding its unprecedented security lapse on October 7, 2023.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry, who died on July 20, 2023.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry Holland.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Fortune, 27 Dec. 2025
The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church was preceded and followed by attacks on Christian schools in Nigeria.
—Rachel Wolf , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry, who died on July 20, 2023.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry Holland.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Fortune, 27 Dec. 2025
The attack on the Christ Apostolic Church was preceded and followed by attacks on Christian schools in Nigeria.
—Rachel Wolf , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precede
Cite this Entry
“Precede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precede. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precede
verb
pre·cede
pri-ˈsēd 
preceded; preceding
: to be, go, or come before (as in rank, position, or time)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share