preceding
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does preceding mean? Preceding means coming before. A close synonym is previous.As an adjective, preceding is always used before a noun, as in the preceding chapter. Preceding can also be used as the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb precede, which means to come before.In most cases, the opposite of preceding is following, meaning coming after. For example, if you’re reading Chapter 7, the preceding chapter is Chapter 6, and the following chapter is Chapter 8.Example: The seventh book in the series features many of the same characters as the six preceding novels.
Etymology
Origin of preceding
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before even attempting an answer, Mayweather doubled down on exhibitions preceding that official bout, announcing Monday that he will fight Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, in June.
From Los Angeles Times
It was the culmination of a series of feints and bluffs in the preceding hours and days as the former reality TV star kept the world guessing.
From Barron's
A similar crossover occurred last April, preceding the 141% gain cited above.
From Barron's
It narrows the S&P 500 to 100 stocks showing the least price volatility during the preceding 12 months when it is reconstituted quarterly.
From MarketWatch
A tally from Global Trade Alert shows that there were many more discriminatory trade policies—including tariffs, export controls and sanctions—introduced in the five years through 2025 than in the preceding five years.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
