Many people love learning new words using tools like the “word of the day calendar.” One of the words you are likely to encounter at some point is “preceded.” Allow us to help you learn about the preceded definition and meaning.
Preceded means “to come before in time, order, or rank.” It is the past tense and past participle of precede. The word describes something that has existed, happened, or come before in time or place. Use this word in sentences that mention something that surpasses another in rank or importance.
“Preceded” is the past simple and past participle of the word “precede.” It is a common English word, and most people who are conversant with the word will use it every day. However, before you use the word, read this post to the end to understand everything about preceded. We’ll expound on the preceded definition, meaning, applications, origin, and etymology.
What Is The Definition Of Preceded?
Preceded is defined as “to come ahead or in front of something or someone else.” For example, the word can describe someone or something that surpasses another in position, dignity, vitality, or daily happenings.
Here are some examples in sentences:
- Miriam’s voice preceded her entrance into the room.
- The team preceded Olivia into her house to surprise her for her birthday.
- Barack Obama preceded Donald Trump as the president of the United States.
Can Preceded Be Associated with Superiority?
The answer is a resounding yes. This word can describe a person’s rank or superiority. When used in such an instance, there needs to be a comparison. Example in a sentence: Her legacy in the music industry preceded her mother’s. Here, the mother and child are compared, and the child is shown to be superior or better.
Other examples in sentences:
- Kofi Anan’s legacy as the Secretary-General of the U.N. preceded Ban Ki-Moon’s.
- No other leader in India has preceded Mahatma Gandhi.
- There was no sign that anyone had preceded them.
What Is The Meaning Of Preceded?
The word preceded also means “to be earlier than or go before something or someone.” It means that something has happened ahead of, ranks higher, or is more important than something else.
Here are a few examples of sentences where the word refers to the above meaning;
- She preceded him into the house and tidied up before he arrived.
- No team has preceded the Lakers this far.
- No one in the class has preceded Mia’s grades the entire year.
Preceded vs. Proceeded
The word preceded is often confused with proceeded. The confusion mainly occurs because the words sound similar. However, their meanings are far from the same. These words cannot be used alternatively. Preceded means to go before or ahead of someone or something in rank, order, or time.
“Proceeded” is the past tense and past participle of the word proceed. Proceed means to continue, progress, get going, and go ahead. When in its past tense form, proceeded meaning is different from preceded because the word shows that something has begun or it has already started.
Examples in sentences:
- It was easy to recognize her work because of the introduction that preceded it.
- We could have proceeded with the project, but there was a power outage.
- We are wondering how Amelia proceeded to cross the border with fake immigration papers.
- A cup of coffee preceded the morning’s workload.
- The mass shooting was preceded by a period of political unrest.
Other Meanings Of Preceded And Proceeded
Another meaning for the word preceded is to introduce or launch. Below are examples in sentences:
- Her speech preceded the vice principal.
- A short speech from your manager preceded your performance.
- Your article should always be preceded with a meta description.
In some contexts, the word proceeded means to go forward, do something after something else, or continue with a course of action. It also means to come from a source.
Examples in sentences:
- After talking for a while, they proceeded into the house.
- Despite the bad weather, the workers proceeded with their job.
- She proceeded with her journey after a short rest.
Rhyming Words For Preceded
Apart from the word “proceeded,” many other words sound similar to “preceded.” Some of them sound the same. These words are known as full rhymes. However, some words are different at the beginning but end similarly. These are known as end-rhymes.
Here are some words that rhyme with preceded;
- Acceded
- Conceded
- Exceeded
- Impeded
- Proceeded
- Seceded
- Receded
- Succeeded
- Speeded
- Weeded
- Seeded
- Ceded
- Kneaded
- Pleaded
- Weeded
- Unneeded
- Beaded
Synonyms And Antonyms Of Preceded
This article would be incomplete if we did not discuss the synonyms and antonyms of “preceded.” Synonyms are words that can be used alternately because they have similar meanings. Below are the common synonyms of this word.
- Predated
- Surpassed
- Paced
- Outranked
- Heralded
- Harbinger
- Preexist
- Ahead
- Anteceded
- Forewent
- Preexisted
Antonyms are words that are opposite of another word. Below are some common antonyms of preceded.
- Succeeded
- Followed
- Predated
How To Use Preceded In A Sentence
The best way to use “preceded” in sentences is as the past tense or past participle of the word “precede.”
When using this word in a sentence, ensure that you understand its meanings fully. After this, ensure that you know the word’s correct spelling. With the correct meaning and spelling, you can confidently use any word in any sentence.
Don’t forget to embrace the various forms of the word. For instance, the adjective form of the word “preceded” is “preceding.” Whichever form of the word you choose, the word must maintain its meaning.
It is also worth mentioning that, In the English language, many past and present participles of verbs can be used as adjectives in sentences. This is the same case with this word.
10 Examples Of Preceded In A Sentence
If you have fully understood the meanings and definitions of preceded, you can start practicing its use in sentences. Let us start with the following ten examples of preceded use in sentences.
- Previews have always preceded most of the upcoming movies or films before release.
- Those amazing beats from the Florida producer have preceded the most song lyrics currently.
- The loud noise preceded the crowd’s entrance.
- Everlyn’s strong perfume preceded her entrance.
- Verbs usually precede objects in English.
- Months of racially motivated attacks and unrest in major cities preceded the derby, which explains the low attendance numbers.
- I cannot confidently say if I understood the sentence that preceded this one.
- Marley Kidana preceded Fenis Healer as the Chancellor of the university.
- Beyonce’s tour performances are often preceded by opening acts from her record label, like Chloe and Halle.
- A good introduction preceded the report.
How Do You Spell Preceded?
The right spelling for this word is “P.R.E.C.E.D.E.D.”
This word is pretty easy to spell. The only mistake a lot of people make is using the letter “s” instead of the letter “c.” This mistake can be attributed to the pronunciation of the word. The key to mastering a new word’s spelling is to PRACTICE.
How Do You Pronounce Preceded
This word is pronounced as “pre.ced.ed” or “pri-se-ed”
There are two pronunciations for this word. However, they are not quite different. The only difference is how the first letter “e” is pronounced. Some people also miss the spelling because they confuse this word with “proceeded,” as explained earlier.
How Many Syllables Are in Preceded?
The word preceded has three syllables.
The word is divided into “pre – ced – ed.” Unlike most English words, there isn’t a single stressed syllable in this word. All three syllables are pronounced with similar intensity.
History & Etymology Of Preceded
Preceded comes from the verb “precede” whose origin can be traced in the early 15 c from the Latin word “preceden.”
The early 15c word “preceden,” means “to lead the way, occur before, and go before in order or time.” Its roots can also be traced to the Old French word “precede,” and the Latin word “praecedere,” meaning “to go before,” and “cede,” which means “to go or yield.” The Old French word’s forming element is; “pre,” which means “before in time or place.” The Latin word’s forming elements are; ‘prae,” which means “before,” and “cedere,” meaning “to go.”
When Was Preceded First Used?
This word was first used in 15c.
In the early 15c, the word was used to refer to walking in front of. However, its meaning advanced in the mid-15c, when it was used to refer to going before. Since then, the meaning has not changed at all. Its English spelling was first used in the mid-15c.
Conclusion
“Preceded” is the past participle or simple form of the verb “precede.” It refers to going before, outranking, or outperforming someone or something. This is a popular word that has been used since the early 15c. Now that you have every basic information about this word, from the “preceded definition to pronunciation,” make it your word for the day by practicing using it in conversations. Make sure you pronounce and spell the word correctly to avoid losing its meaning.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.