preceding Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb be earlier in time; go back further
   antecede; forego; predate; forgo; antedate; precede.
   
   • Stone tools precede bronze tools
2. verb come before
   predate; precede.
   
   • Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify
3. verb be the predecessor of
   come before; precede.
   
   • Bill preceded John in the long line of Susan's husbands
4. verb move ahead (of others) in time or space
   precede; lead.
   
5. verb furnish with a preface or introduction
   introduce; precede; premise; preface.
   
   • She always precedes her lectures with a joke
   • He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution
6. adjective existing or coming before
   
7. adjective satellite of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
   past; retiring.
   
   • a retiring member of the board

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