1. An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
   "The success of the pilot program was a precedent for expanding it nationwide";
   - case in point
    
2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
   "The judge relied on precedent in making his ruling";
   - case law, common law
    
3. A subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
   "The speaker referred back to the precedent he had established in his opening remarks"

1. Preceding in time, order, or significance
   "The precedent ruling influenced the judge's decision"

Derived forms: precedents

See also: preceding

Type of: civil law, example, exemplum, illustration, instance, representative, subject, theme, topic

Encyclopedia: Precedent