Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

precedent

/ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.78 in modern English

Syllables
prece-dent
IPA
/ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/
14
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.

noun

A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.

noun

An established habit or custom.

noun

The aforementioned (thing).

Obsolete

noun

The previous version.

noun

A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.

Obsolete

adj

Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.

adj

Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.

Archaic

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle French, from Old French, from Latin praecēdēns, present participle of praecēdere (“to precede”); See precede.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: -, praecēdēns

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/
  • British English: /ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

precedents (plural) præcedent (alternative) precedents (present, singular) precedenting (participle, present) precedented (participle, past) precedented (past)

Derived Forms

precedency precedented precedential precedentless precedently unprecedent unprecedental unprecedented unprecedently

Phrases

binding precedent condition precedent declaratory precedent original precedent persuasive precedent precedent-setting precedent sub silentio stare decisis

Frequently Paired Words

case law stare decisis

Synonyms

antecedent predecessive case in point case law common law

Questions

How do you pronounce precedent?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/.
What does precedent mean?
An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
Where does precedent come from?
It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce precedent

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “precedent”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “precedent”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “precedent” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.