# precedent

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/ · frequency rank #9,939

## Definitions
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. The aforementioned (thing).
5. The previous version.
6. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.

## Etymology
From Middle French, from Old French, from Latin praecēdēns, present participle of praecēdere (“to precede”); See precede.

## Easily confused with
- **president** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precedent-vs-president)
- **preceding** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precedent-vs-preceding)
- **precede** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precede-vs-precedent)
- **precedence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precedence-vs-precedent)

## Common misspellings (14)
`percedent`, `pprecedent`, `prceedent`, `preccedent`, `precdeent`, `preceddent`, `precedennt`, `precedentt`, `precedetn`, `precednet`, `preceednt`, `preecdent`, `prrecedent`, `rpecedent`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/precedent