Precedence
noun
The condition of being more important than something else.
In many cultures, elder siblings take precedence over younger ones.
Often appears as...
- take precedence
- give precedence
noun
The order to be observed in ceremonies by persons of different ranks.
The order of precedence for the royal wedding procession was carefully planned.
Often appears as...
- order of precedence
- precedence in rank
noun
A rule establishing the order of priority between two things.
In grammar, certain rules take precedence over others.
Often appears as...
- rule of precedence
- operator precedence
noun
The earlier occurrence of something.
The precedence of her claim over the property was established legally.
Often appears as...
- precedence in time
- legal precedence
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The condition of being more important than something else.
In many cultures, elder siblings take precedence over younger ones.
Often appears as...
- take precedence
- give precedence
noun
The order to be observed in ceremonies by persons of different ranks.
The order of precedence for the royal wedding procession was carefully planned.
Often appears as...
- order of precedence
- precedence in rank
noun
A rule establishing the order of priority between two things.
In grammar, certain rules take precedence over others.
Often appears as...
- rule of precedence
- operator precedence
noun
The earlier occurrence of something.
The precedence of her claim over the property was established legally.
Often appears as...
- precedence in time
- legal precedence
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Context
The importance given to something can be cultural, like respecting elders or traditions.
In this society, respecting local customs takes precedence.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflicting Priorities
When two important tasks conflict, 'precedence' describes which comes first.
Safety precautions should take precedence over speed in this task.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Obvious
Determining precedence might require judgment; it's not always clear-cut.
In times of crisis, different teams' needs may compete for precedence.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Context
The importance given to something can be cultural, like respecting elders or traditions.
In this society, respecting local customs takes precedence.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflicting Priorities
When two important tasks conflict, 'precedence' describes which comes first.
Safety precautions should take precedence over speed in this task.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Obvious
Determining precedence might require judgment; it's not always clear-cut.
In times of crisis, different teams' needs may compete for precedence.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Context
The importance given to something can be cultural, like respecting elders or traditions.
In this society, respecting local customs takes precedence.
Pro Tip 2/3Conflicting Priorities
When two important tasks conflict, 'precedence' describes which comes first.
Safety precautions should take precedence over speed in this task.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Obvious
Determining precedence might require judgment; it's not always clear-cut.
In times of crisis, different teams' needs may compete for precedence.
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Video examples
Joel Leon: The...
They have to sacrifice their dreams in order to ensure that motherhood takes precedence over all else. And I'm not here to say that it doesn't, but what I am here to say is, as equal partners and co-parents, it is our duty to ensure that our co-parenting partners don't have to put their passions, their pursuits and their dreams to the back burner
Video examples
The difference between...
And that gives you a great deal of pleasure, to see them go on. I always tried to make the youngsters feel that they're there to get an education, number one; basketball was second, because it was paying their way, and they do need a little time for social activities, but you let social activities take a little precedence over the other two,
Video examples
Sam Martin: The quirky...
There was enough space. And I had control, which was very important. As I was building this space, I thought to myself, "Surely I'm not the only guy to have to have carved out a space for his own." So I did some research. And I found that there was an historic precedence. Hemingway had his writing space.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 134 PIPE...
of the world since I've been yet it's definitely quarantine it's called quite a few sub adult male could do to the two three year old male kudu which are a very big I female kudu so yes so there is a there is a precedence that certain males seem to definitely focus on bigger prey than
Video examples
What moral decisions...
which takes precedence above all, and it's that a robot may not harm humanity as a whole. I don't know what this means in the context of driverless cars or any specific situation, and I don't know how we can implement it, but I think that by recognizing
Video examples
Alejandro Aravena: My...
The scale, speed, and scarcity of means with which we will have to respond to this phenomenon has no precedence in history. For you to have an idea, out of the three billion people living in cities today, one billion are under the line of poverty.
Video examples
The battle of the Greek...
The dialogue possible in tragedy now has taken precedence over the chorus. No wonder he drastically shrunk its size. This applause is well deserved. The crowd has hushed. Sophocles's actors and chorus
Video examples
Why Libya's revolution...
compassion nourishes the entire existence thus we are told that my mercy encompasses all things thus we are told that my mercy takes precedence over my anger may we all be granted a grace of mercy
Video examples
How AI can save our...
sparing me from doing the unthinkable, and to this day, I am so sorry for letting my work ethic take precedence over love for my family.
Video examples
Cute Tiger Cubs Playing...
the demands of her young family must take precedence her Cubs have reached the stage when they start exploring
Video examples
Joel Leon: The...
They have to sacrifice their dreams in order to ensure that motherhood takes precedence over all else. And I'm not here to say that it doesn't, but what I am here to say is, as equal partners and co-parents, it is our duty to ensure that our co-parenting partners don't have to put their passions, their pursuits and their dreams to the back burner
Video examples
The difference between...
And that gives you a great deal of pleasure, to see them go on. I always tried to make the youngsters feel that they're there to get an education, number one; basketball was second, because it was paying their way, and they do need a little time for social activities, but you let social activities take a little precedence over the other two,
Video examples
Sam Martin: The quirky...
There was enough space. And I had control, which was very important. As I was building this space, I thought to myself, "Surely I'm not the only guy to have to have carved out a space for his own." So I did some research. And I found that there was an historic precedence. Hemingway had his writing space.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 134 PIPE...
of the world since I've been yet it's definitely quarantine it's called quite a few sub adult male could do to the two three year old male kudu which are a very big I female kudu so yes so there is a there is a precedence that certain males seem to definitely focus on bigger prey than
Video examples
What moral decisions...
which takes precedence above all, and it's that a robot may not harm humanity as a whole. I don't know what this means in the context of driverless cars or any specific situation, and I don't know how we can implement it, but I think that by recognizing
Video examples
Alejandro Aravena: My...
The scale, speed, and scarcity of means with which we will have to respond to this phenomenon has no precedence in history. For you to have an idea, out of the three billion people living in cities today, one billion are under the line of poverty.
Video examples
The battle of the Greek...
The dialogue possible in tragedy now has taken precedence over the chorus. No wonder he drastically shrunk its size. This applause is well deserved. The crowd has hushed. Sophocles's actors and chorus
Video examples
Why Libya's revolution...
compassion nourishes the entire existence thus we are told that my mercy encompasses all things thus we are told that my mercy takes precedence over my anger may we all be granted a grace of mercy
Video examples
How AI can save our...
sparing me from doing the unthinkable, and to this day, I am so sorry for letting my work ethic take precedence over love for my family.
Video examples
Cute Tiger Cubs Playing...
the demands of her young family must take precedence her Cubs have reached the stage when they start exploring
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Angus Deaton
British Economist
Trade, migration, and modern communications have given us networks of friends and associates in other countries. We owe them much, but the social contract with our fellow citizens at home brings unique rights and responsibilities that must sometimes take precedence, especially when they are as destitute as the world's poorest people.
Quote examples
Kim Jong-un
North Korean Leader
The strength of self-reliance and self-development is that of science and technology, and the shortcut to implementing the five-year strategy is to give importance and precedence to science and technology.
Quote examples
Isabelle Adjani
French Actress
I think we have to get back the value of behavior that is consistent with being taught: that's to say, respecting teachers, listening, and not always expecting your opinion to take precedence.
Quote examples
Ciara
American Musician
Being a mom to my son has taken precedence over everything in my life, and I think that's the order it should be... It's a great challenge that I don't think's ever gonna stop.
Quote examples
John Polanyi
Hungarian Scientist
For scholarship - if it is to be scholarship - requires, in addition to liberty, that the truth take precedence over all sectarian interests, including self-interest.
Quote examples
Chiwetel Ejiofor
British Actor
Since I started acting, I always or often find work takes precedence with me. And that is not necessarily a great rule for life.
Quote examples
W. E. B. Du Bois
American Writer
Rule-following, legal precedence, and political consistency are not more important than right, justice and plain common-sense.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Well, for us, in history where goodness is a rare pearl, he who was good almost takes precedence over he who was great.
Quote examples
William Glasser
American Psychologist
There are only two places in the world where time takes precedence over the job to be done. School and prison.
Quote examples
Ephraim Mirvis
South African Clergyman
Life has an absolute value and its preservation takes precedence over other commandments.
Quote examples
Angus Deaton
British Economist
Trade, migration, and modern communications have given us networks of friends and associates in other countries. We owe them much, but the social contract with our fellow citizens at home brings unique rights and responsibilities that must sometimes take precedence, especially when they are as destitute as the world's poorest people.
Quote examples
Kim Jong-un
North Korean Leader
The strength of self-reliance and self-development is that of science and technology, and the shortcut to implementing the five-year strategy is to give importance and precedence to science and technology.
Quote examples
Isabelle Adjani
French Actress
I think we have to get back the value of behavior that is consistent with being taught: that's to say, respecting teachers, listening, and not always expecting your opinion to take precedence.
Quote examples
Ciara
American Musician
Being a mom to my son has taken precedence over everything in my life, and I think that's the order it should be... It's a great challenge that I don't think's ever gonna stop.
Quote examples
John Polanyi
Hungarian Scientist
For scholarship - if it is to be scholarship - requires, in addition to liberty, that the truth take precedence over all sectarian interests, including self-interest.
Quote examples
Chiwetel Ejiofor
British Actor
Since I started acting, I always or often find work takes precedence with me. And that is not necessarily a great rule for life.
Quote examples
W. E. B. Du Bois
American Writer
Rule-following, legal precedence, and political consistency are not more important than right, justice and plain common-sense.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Well, for us, in history where goodness is a rare pearl, he who was good almost takes precedence over he who was great.
Quote examples
William Glasser
American Psychologist
There are only two places in the world where time takes precedence over the job to be done. School and prison.
Quote examples
Ephraim Mirvis
South African Clergyman
Life has an absolute value and its preservation takes precedence over other commandments.
Example 1 of 10
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