Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
Precedent
An earlier event, decision, or action that provides a model or justification for future similar cases or actions.
nounCheck this word before you leave
Pick the meaning. Keys A–D work too.
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
💡
Imagine This
Imagine a court hallway lined with dusty case files. Each file represents a past ruling. The judge points to an old ruling and says, 'We will follow this precedent to decide the current case.' New decisions must align with these earlier examples.
🔊
Sounds Like
PRES-uh-dent (sounds like 'president' in many dialects)
👀
Looks Like
resembles 'precede' or shares the root 'preced-' meaning before
📝
Remember This
In law, a precedent is a guiding example for future cases; the doctrine of stare decisis means courts generally follow prior decisions when the facts are similar.
📚
Other Forms
precedeverb
predecessornoun
precedentialadjective
🔗
Connect With
model, standard, guideline, benchmark, pattern, template
📌
Note
Do not confuse precedent with precedence. Precedent is an example set by a previous decision; precedence refers to priority in order or importance.
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- The court followed the precedent established by a similar case from the previous decade.
- There is no precedent for this type of ruling in this jurisdiction, so the judge had to proceed with caution.
Synonyms
examplemodelstandardpatterntemplate
Antonyms
noveltyanomalyoutlier
Etymology
From Latin praecedens, from prae- 'before' + cedere 'to go, yield'; the noun denotes something that goes before to guide later actions.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: PRECEDENT = PRECEDE + DENT. It helps you remember that a precedent is something that goes before to guide future decisions.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Counterproductive
adjectiveHaving the opposite of the desired effect; actions or policies that hinder rather than help progress.
Chasten
verbTo discipline or punish in order to improve behavior or character.
Haughty
adjectiveArrogantly proud; having or showing an overbearing sense of one's own importance.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.