Word
preceding
Phoneticspre·ced·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹiˈsidɪŋ/
UK/pɹɪsˈiːdɪŋ/
Definitions
01coming before
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. happening or coming just before the thing you are talking about.
adj. existing or occurring before something else in time, order, or position.
“The information in the preceding chapter explains why the character is angry.”
“The preceding events had left the population wary of any further promises from the interim government.”
Usage
Usually placed immediately before the noun it modifies.
Antonyms
02the act of coming before
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. the action of going or happening before something else.
v. the present participle of 'precede', used to describe the act of going before in rank, time, or place.
“The band played a short set preceding the main performance.”
“The years preceding the revolution were marked by extreme economic instability and social unrest.”
Usage
Often used as a participle to link two events in a sentence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “preceding” in context.
Adjective
01. preceding chapter
“As mentioned in the preceding chapter, the characters first met in London.”
adj + noun
02. preceding period
“The company saw a sharp increase in sales compared to the preceding period.”
adj + noun
03. preceding section
“Please refer to the preceding section for a detailed explanation of the methodology.”
adj + noun
04. preceding year
“The report analyzes data from 2023 and the preceding year.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Unfortunately, the fact that it falls on a Saturday doesn’t mean that workers will necessarily get a day off on either the preceding Friday or following Monday to make up for it.” “It looks as if the British farmers who had been building Stonehenge over the preceding centuries all but disappeared – again, for reasons which remain unclear.” Etymology
From Middle English precedyng, precedenge, present participle of Middle English preceden (“to precede”), equivalent to precede + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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