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- Dictionaryprecedent
noun
- 1. an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances: "there are substantial precedents for using interactive media in training"
adjective
- 1. preceding in time, order, or importance: "a precedent case"
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PRECEDENT definition: 1. an action, situation, or decision that has already happened and can be used as a reason why a…. Learn more.
1. : an earlier occurrence of something similar. 2. a. : something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind. a verdict that had no precedent. b.
a previous action, situation, or decision that can be used as a reason or example for a similar action or decision at a later time: [ C ] Conditions have changed enormously, and the past is not much of a precedent. [ U ] Precedent indicated that a change would take place sooner rather than later.
noun. Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases. any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations. Synonyms: standard, pattern, model, example.
If there is a precedent for an action or event, it has happened before, and this can be regarded as an argument for doing it again.
A precedent is something that sets a standard for future events. It's hard to say what the legal community would do without the word precedent, since so many legal judgments and decisions are based on what came before.
1. an act or instance that may serve as an example or justification for subsequent situations. 2. a legal decision serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in similar cases that follow. 3. established practice; custom: to break with precedent. adj. 4. preceding; prior. pre•ce•dent.
