noun.
The fact, state, or right of coming before in time, order, or position.
noun.
Priority claimed or received because of greater importance.
noun.
A ceremonial order of rank or preference, especially as observed on formal occasions.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
noun.
The act of going before; specifically, the right of preceding others in public or private ceremonies; the right to a more honorable place in public processions or assemblies, or in the formalities of social life; social superiority; advantage in rank. In many countries precedence is a matter of strict regulation. See order of precedence, below.
noun.
Prior place; superior position; position indicative of superior rank.
noun.
Previous occurrence, or existence before; priority in time.
noun.
That which goes before; a preceding act or speech.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
noun.
The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority.
noun.
The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank.
noun.
The state of preceding in importance or priority.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
noun.
status established in order of importance or urgency
noun.
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
noun.
preceding in time
Word Usage
"Nations confront the problematic tension between giving their – people-citizens-however you want to call it – a certain precedence, which is deeply embedded in the very idea of the nation-state however un-P.C. it sounds, while not sacrificing their broader humanity regarding the world."