Definition

1. Noun:

   • An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances: A "precedent" is an established pattern or model that provides a basis for future decisions or actions, especially in legal or formal contexts.
   • A decided case that furnishes a basis for determining later cases involving similar facts or issues: In law, a "precedent" is a judicial decision that serves as an authority for deciding subsequent cases where the legal principles are analogous.

2. Adjective:

   • Preceding in time, order, or importance: This formal usage describes something that comes before another thing in sequence or significance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The judge's ruling set a legal precedent for future freedom of speech cases.
  • There is no precedent for such a drastic action in the company's history.
• Adjective:
  • A precedent condition must be met before the contract becomes valid. (Formal)

Advanced Usage

• "to set a precedent": to establish an example or rule that is likely to be followed in the future.
  • The generous settlement could set a dangerous precedent for other employees.
• "to break with precedent": to act in a way that is different from what has been done before.
  • The new manager broke with precedent by involving junior staff in major decisions.
• "binding precedent" (Legal term): A prior decision by a court that must be followed by lower courts in the same jurisdiction.
  • The Supreme Court's decision is a binding precedent for all other federal courts.

Variants and Related Words

• Precedence (n): The condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority.
  • Safety concerns must take precedence over all other matters.
• Precedented (adj): Having or supported by a precedent; not novel or unusual.
  • Such a move is not unprecedented; we have done it before. (Commonly used in the negative: "unprecedented")
• Precedential (adj): Of the nature of or constituting a precedent, especially a legal one.
  • The ruling has great precedential value for similar lawsuits.

Synonyms

• Noun: Model, example, standard, guideline, antecedent, paradigm.
• Adjective: Previous, prior, antecedent, foregoing, anterior.

Related Phrases

• "stare decisis" (Latin legal phrase): The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent. It means "to stand by things decided."
  • The doctrine of stare decisis ensures stability and predictability in the law.

Idioms

• "without precedent": Having no previous example to follow; entirely new.
  • The global pandemic was an event without precedent in modern times.

Adjective

1. preceding in time, order, or significance

Noun

1. a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
2. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
   • common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States
3. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
4. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time