precedent
[ noun pres-i-duh nt; adjective pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duh nt ]
/ noun ˈprɛs ɪ dənt; adjective prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt /
noun
Law.
a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.
any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations.
adjective pre·ce·dent [pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duh nt] /prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt/
going or coming before; preceding; anterior.
Origin of precedent
OTHER WORDS FROM precedent
prec·e·dent·less, adjective non·prec·e·dent, noun non·pre·ced·ent, adjective qua·si-pre·ced·ent, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH precedent
precedence precedents presidentsWords nearby precedent
precautious,
precava,
precede,
precedence,
precedency,
precedent,
precedented,
precedential,
preceding,
precent,
precentor
Example sentences from the Web for precedent
British Dictionary definitions for precedent
precedent
noun (ˈprɛsɪdənt)
law
a judicial decision that serves as an authority for deciding a later case
an example or instance used to justify later similar occurrences
adjective (prɪˈsiːdənt, ˈprɛsɪdənt)
preceding
Cultural definitions for precedent
precedent
[ (press-uh-duhnt) ]
A previous ruling by a court that influences subsequent decisions in cases with similar issues.
Idioms and Phrases with precedent
precedent
see set a precedent.