Precede Meaning
/pɹɪˈsiːd/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo go before, go in front of.
verbTo cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce.
Sentence Examples
In Asia men usually precede women when walking.
Words that don't precede actions are worthless.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the English alphabet, the letter A always ____ the letter B.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A brief introduction will ____ the main presentation to provide context for the audience.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French précéder, from Latin praecēdō, from prae- + cēdō.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe / Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem / Of our integritie"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"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."
— 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter I, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book IV:
"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."
— 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 102:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the English alphabet, the letter A always ____ the letter B.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A brief introduction will ____ the main presentation to provide context for the audience.