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Precedent

/pɹɪˈsiː.dənt/

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

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Precedent"

noun

1
An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
2
A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
3
An established habit or custom.
4
(with definite article) The aforementioned (thing).

verb

1
To provide precedents for.
2
To be a precedent for.

adjective

1
Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.
2
Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.

🔄 Synonyms of "Precedent"

3 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
case in pointnoun	An example that illustrates a point.
common lawnoun	(law) Legal system mainly in England and its former colonies with a heavy emphasis on judge-made law, doctrines deduced by casuistry rather than from general principles, and law distributed among judicial decisions rather than codified statutes (as opposed to civil law).
case lawnoun	Law developed by judges through court decisions and opinions, as distinct from statute and other legislation.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Precedent"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
preceding	Occurring before or in front of something else, in time, place, rank or sequence.
case in pointnoun	An example that illustrates a point.
case lawnoun	Law developed by judges through court decisions and opinions, as distinct from statute and other legislation.
common lawnoun	(law) Legal system mainly in England and its former colonies with a heavy emphasis on judge-made law, doctrines deduced by casuistry rather than from general principles, and law distributed among judicial decisions rather than codified statutes (as opposed to civil law).
predecessornoun	One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.
precedencenoun	The state of preceding in importance or priority.
foregoing	Occurring before or in front of something else, in time, place, rank or sequence.
previousnoun	(not comparable) Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
preludenoun	An introductory or preliminary performance or event.
prev	Abbreviation of previous. [(not comparable) Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.]
priornoun	Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.
precursornoun	That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events.
prerequisitenoun	Something that is required as necessary or indispensable, or as a prior condition of something else.
antecedentnoun	Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
prejudicenoun	(countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
pastnoun	The period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.
earlier	previously; before now; sooner
formernoun	Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
casenoun	An actual event, situation, or fact.
practicenoun	Repetition of an activity to improve a skill.