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precedent
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As a noun, precedent means an act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future. As an adjective, it means happening or taking place earlier in time.
Meanings of precedent
14 meaningsnoun
An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
legalA decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
An established habit or custom.
The previous version.
An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
Similar: case in point(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
Similar: case law, common lawA 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”
Similar: common law, case lawA subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
Older and rare meanings (2)
obsoletewith definite articleThe aforementioned (thing).
obsoleteA rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
adjective
Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.
now rareComing before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.
verb
legalTo provide precedents for.
legalTo be a precedent for.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).