PRECEDING

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does preceding mean? 

• PRECEDING (adjective)
  The adjective PRECEDING has 3 senses:

1. existing or coming before
2. preceding in time or order
3. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office

  Familiarity information: PRECEDING used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRECEDING (adjective)

Meaning:

Existing or coming before

Similar:

old; previous (just preceding something else in time or order)

preparative; preparatory; propaedeutic (preceding and preparing for something)

premedical (preceding and preparing for the study of medicine)

precedent (preceding in time, order, or significance)

introductory; prefatorial; prefatory (serving as an introduction or preface)

foregoing (especially of writing or speech; going before)

above-mentioned; above-named (mentioned or named earlier in the same text)

above (appearing earlier in the same text)

Also:

antecedent; preceding (preceding in time or order)

Attribute:

temporal relation (a relation involving time)

timing (the time when something happens)

Antonym:

succeeding (coming after or following)

Meaning:

Preceding in time or order

Synonyms:

antecedent; preceding

Similar:

anterior; prior (earlier in time)

anticipatory; prevenient (in anticipation)

pre-existent; pre-existing; preexistent; preexisting (existing previously or before something)

Also:

preceding (existing or coming before)

Meaning:

Of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office

Synonyms:

past; preceding; retiring

Context example:

a retiring member of the board

Similar:

outgoing (leaving a place or a position)