precede

Formsprecedes, preceding, preceded

Pluralprecedes

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To come or go before something else in time, order, or place.

   Like the number one coming before the number two.

   Heavy clouds usually precede a storm.

   A short speech preceded the awards ceremony.

   Similarpredate, antedate, herald

   Oppositefollow, succeed, postdate

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To start something by placing an introduction before the main part.

   Like saying hello before you begin telling a long story.

   She preceded her talk with a few words of thanks.

   Speakers often precede a lecture with a short greeting.

   Similarpreface, introduce, open, begin, prefix

   Oppositefollow, end, conclude

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To have a higher rank or position than someone or something else.

   Like a king standing higher than a knight.

   Kings precede dukes in matters of ceremony.

   At formal dinners, a duchess precedes a countess.

   Similaroutrank

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A short editorial note placed before an article or essay.

   Like a few words at the start of a story that tell you what is coming.

   The magazine added a brief precede to the controversial essay.

   Each chapter opens with a short precede summarizing the argument.

   Similarpreface, introduction, intro, standfirst, lead-in

   Note

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