pre ‧ ce ‧ dent AC /ˈpresəd ə nt, ˈpresɪd ə nt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ precede ; noun : ↑ precedent ; adjective : ↑ preceding ]
1 . [countable] an action or official decision that can be used to give support to later actions or decisions:
a legal precedent
set/create a precedent
UN involvement in the country’s affairs would set a dangerous precedent.
precedent for
precedents for what courts will accept as ‘fair’
2 . [uncountable and countable] something of the same type that has happened or existed before
precedent for
There’s not much precedent for men taking leave when their baby is born.
without precedent
An epidemic on this scale is without precedent.
3 . [uncountable] the way that things have always been done
break with precedent (=do something in a new way)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ set/establish a precedent
The decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.
▪ create a precedent
If we allow this once, it will create a precedent.
▪ follow a precedent
Now he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.
▪ use something as a precedent
Latin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.
■ adjectives
▪ a bad precedent
Such a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.
▪ a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future)
They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.
▪ an important precedent
By doing this, an important precedent was established.
▪ a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases)
There are several legal precedents for this.