precedence meaning and definition

PRECEDENCE noun

Definition of precedence (noun)

1. status established in order of importance or urgency
   • "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals"; "national independence takes priority over class struggle"
   • synonyms: precedency, priority
2. preceding in time
   • synonyms: antecedence, antecedency, anteriority, precedency, priority
   • antonym: posteriority
3. the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
   • synonyms: precedency, precession