precedent
Say it: PRESS-ih-dunt /ˈprɛsɪdənt/ · noun
What “precedent” means
An earlier decision that guides later ones.
More precisely: An earlier event or decision used as an example or guide for later ones.
Example: “Letting one person work from Bali sets a precedent for the whole team.”
When to use it
When a past decision becomes a guide for similar situations, especially at work, in rules or in legal discussions.
Similar words
example, model, standard
Where it comes from
From Latin praecedere, "to go before."
Quick check
A club waived one member's late fee, so another asks for the same treatment. The earlier decision is…
a precedent or a prediction?
Show the answer
a precedent
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