What is the meaning of precedent?

noun

  • An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time.
  • Civil law. ( a law established by following earlier judicial decisions)
  • A system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws.
    • usage: "common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States"
  • A subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time. )

adjective

  • Preceding in time, order, or significance. .
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). precedent. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/precedent/definitions/1181197
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "precedent" http://smartdefine.org/precedent/definitions/1181197 (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, precedent, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/precedent/definitions/1181197>.
MLAWordNet. "precedent" 23 October 2010. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/precedent/definitions/1181197>
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