precedentpre‧ce‧dent /ˈpresɪdənt/ ●○○ AWL noun 
Examples
a legal precedentset/create a precedent UN involvement in the country’s affairs would set a dangerous precedent.precedent for precedents for what courts will accept as ‘fair’2[countable, uncountable] something of the same type that has happened or existed beforeprecedent for There’s not much precedent for men taking leave when their baby is born.without precedent An epidemic on this scale is without precedent.3[uncountable] the way that things have always been donebreak with precedent (=do something in a new way)COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2verbsset/establish a precedent· The decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.create a precedent· If we allow this once, it will create a precedent.follow a precedent· Now he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.use something as a precedent· Latin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.adjectivesa bad precedent· Such a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future)· They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.an important precedent· By doing this, an important precedent was established.a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases)· There are several legal precedents for this.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
word sets- The public will not be outraged if it is told that precedents will be confined to their facts.
- The unusual video arrangement will not set a presidential precedent.
- There are precedents on both sides of the argument.
- There were, of course, literary precedents for this.
- Therefore, this could hardly be regarded as a binding precedent.
- We accept our responsibility not to retreat from interpreting the full meaning of the covenant in light of all of our precedents.
WORD SETS► Law
Collocationsaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meanings 1 & 2verbs► set/establish a precedent
Word family· The decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.
► create a precedent· If we allow this once, it will create a precedent.
► follow a precedent· Now he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.
► use something as a precedent· Latin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.
adjectives► a bad precedent· Such a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.
► a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future)· They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.
► an important precedent· By doing this, an important precedent was established.
► a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases)· There are several legal precedents for this.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► set a precedent (=do something that later actions or decisions may be based on)· This legislation would set a most dangerous precedent.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► dangerous· In the current climate the referendum has created a dangerous precedent.· For the Soviet Union, the return to any nation of territory occupied during the war would create a dangerous precedent.
► historical· There were historical precedents for this kind of female protest.· This is a legitimate objective founded on strong historical precedents: an unhappy monarch is a dangerous monarch.· This requires imagination, inventiveness and aesthetic sensitivity informed by historical precedent.· In attempting this I have high hopes because there are strong historical precedents for such speculations.· There are plenty of historical precedents for this, as I pointed out in Chapter 2.
► important· We feel that the experience of technology agreements offers important precedents and lessons in this respect.· The decision sets an important precedent.· If upheld in appellate court the case could form an important precedent in family law.
► legal· No doubt many fewer laymen are aware of the parallel legal practice of precedent.· The court ignored mountains of its own legal precedent.· Thirdly, there was now a legal precedent upon which to mount attacks on politically inspired censorship.· Hastings said he would approve the trip unless the defense attorneys could cite legal precedents supporting their argument.· It was a legal precedent, if not a very reassuring one.· I can cite several legal precedents.
NOUN► condition· Thus, I conclude that the requirement to serve a demand is a procedural condition precedent to bringing proceedings.
VERB► break· So, Major may be going for broke by breaking with precedent.· It also broke precedent by not publishing the name or location of the company that will manufacture the drug.
► create· In the current climate the referendum has created a dangerous precedent.· That has created a precedent which, it is argued, could also apply to the presidential term.· For the Soviet Union, the return to any nation of territory occupied during the war would create a dangerous precedent.· The application does not fall within the Structure Plan for the area and to allow it would create a precedent.· It also created a possible precedent for Soviet conduct in other Third World regions.
► establish· The risks of establishing an expensive precedent were considered too great to countenance.· He established a precedent that the president can act far more extensively than the constitution allows.· They wanted state authorities to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act to avoid establishing new precedents for national intervention in state affairs.· Davis' original move to Los Angeles established the judicial precedent that a team can move without approval from other owners.· But the practical effect was to establish the precedent that the future of Northern Ireland was negotiable.
► follow· Elizabeth followed precedents set by her ancestors in selling Crown rights in some forests for ready money.· Here he was following a precedent created by Lanfranc, who had already consecrated bishops of Dublin in 1074 and 1085.· The Soviet Union could soon choose to follow these precedents.· There is direct precedent in the first case, and he knows that sound strategy might require him to follow that precedent.
► set· But it is Michael Jackson's deal which may set precedents the music business will later regret.· The unusual video arrangement will not set a presidential precedent.· Guidelines have been laid, standards are set, and precedents have been established.· School officials say releasing those kinds of notes would set a bad precedent and inhibit communication among teachers and administrators.· The decision sets an important precedent.· Once again Edward had set precedents and opened opportunities for extensive royal exploitation subsequently.· Employment lawyer Robert Rosati says courts are setting a troublesome precedent when they let such suits to go forward.
WORD FAMILYnounprecedentadjectiveprecedingverbprecede
1[countable] an action or official decision that can be used to give support to later actions or decisions: a legal precedentset/create a precedent UN involvement in the country’s affairs would set a dangerous precedent.precedent for precedents for what courts will accept as ‘fair’2[countable, uncountable] something of the same type that has happened or existed beforeprecedent for There’s not much precedent for men taking leave when their baby is born.without precedent An epidemic on this scale is without precedent.3[uncountable] the way that things have always been donebreak with precedent (=do something in a new way)COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2verbsset/establish a precedent· The decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.create a precedent· If we allow this once, it will create a precedent.follow a precedent· Now he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.use something as a precedent· Latin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.adjectivesa bad precedent· Such a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future)· They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.an important precedent· By doing this, an important precedent was established.a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases)· There are several legal precedents for this.