word
Legal
Precedent
PRES-ih-dent
/ˈprɛsɪdənt/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
Precedent
Dictionary meaning
A prior court decision that serves as a guide for deciding future similar cases.
Examples
- The landmark ruling set a precedent that courts have followed for decades.
American: PRES-ih-dent. British: PRES-ih-dent (same). Not to be confused with 'president' (PREZ-ih-dent).
Pronunciation tips
Three syllables. Stress on first syllable.
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