WordGarden.ioprecedent
B2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈprɛsɪdənt/
Meanings
Noun
an earlier court decision used as authority in later similar cases
an earlier action or decision treated as a guide for later similar ones
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGOs. If you build something amazing one day and then use that same design as the starting point for your next creation, that first build is a precedent. It's an example to follow. In law, a precedent is a past court decision that guides future rulings in similar cases. But it's not just legal; any action that sets an example for how things should be done can be called a precedent. If your older brother starts staying out late and your parents let him, he's set a precedent, making it harder to say no when you want to do the same.
A precedent is something that happened before, serving as an example or guide for how similar situations should be handled in the future. It's about establishing patterns and building on past experiences.
The word comes from Latin and means "what comes before." While it is often associated with legal contexts, where a court ruling sets a precedent for future cases, it extends far beyond the courtroom. Think of it as a roadmap based on previous journeys.
For example, if a company successfully launches a new marketing campaign, that success can become a precedent for similar campaigns in the future. If a teacher starts allowing students to revise their work after receiving feedback, they have set a precedent for that kind of flexibility. If a school lets one student retake an exam after missing it for a good reason, that decision may become a precedent for similar cases later.
However, precedents aren't always absolute. They can be overturned or modified if circumstances change. But generally, following established precedents provides consistency, fairness, and predictability.
So, whether it's in law, business, education, or everyday life, a precedent is a prior action that shapes how we approach similar situations going forward, a lesson from the past that helps guide the future.
Examples
- 1
Court ruling
The judge followed precedent and gave the same ruling as in earlier cases.
- 2
Workplace policy
If we let one employee work from home full-time, it may set a precedent for others.
- Phraseset a precedent
do something that others may expect to happen again
- 3
Business caution
The company was careful not to create a precedent it could not afford to follow.
- 4
Complaint handling
There is no clear precedent for handling this kind of complaint.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal research
Lawyers often look for legal precedents before they advise a client.
- 6
Official decision
The mayor's decision broke with precedent and surprised many city officials.
- Phrasebreak with precedent
do something differently from what was usually done before
- 7
Historical scale
The scale of the disaster was without precedent in the country's history.
- Phrasewithout precedent
never having happened in a similar way before
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- precedentnounadjective
Forms
- precedentspluralnounadjective