precedent
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: precedents · precedenting · precedented
Sense 1
An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
hành động trong quá khứ được dùng làm ví dụ để quyết định kết quả của các trường hợp tương tự trong tương lai
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
trường hợp đã được quyết định và được trích dẫn hoặc sử dụng làm ví dụ để chứng minh phán quyết trong một vụ việc tiếp theo
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.
xảy ra hoặc diễn ra sớm hơn trong thời gian, trước đó hoặc đi trước
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
To provide precedents for.
Verb
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “precedent” mean?
An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
Is “precedent” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.