precedent

An adjective describing something that serves as an example or rule to be followed in the future, especially in legal contexts.

• 🇩🇪Adjektiv, das etwas beschreibt, das als Beispiel oder Regel für zukünftiges Handeln dient, insbesondere im juristischen Kontext (auf einem Präzedenzfall beruhend).

1. Prior or earlier C1 formal

   Existing or occurring before in time, order, or importance.

   • The precedent events shaped the outcome of the trial.
   • This decision is based on precedent rulings.
   • Precedent conditions must be considered before making a judgment.

   🇩🇪Vorhergehend

   Synonyme: antecedentanteriorformerprecedingpreviousprior

   Antonyme: followingsubsequentsucceeding

• more precedent comparative form
• most precedent superlative form

A noun referring to an earlier event, action, or decision that serves as an example or guide for similar situations in the future, especially in legal contexts.

• 🇩🇪Ein früheres Ereignis, eine Handlung oder eine Entscheidung, die als Beispiel oder Richtschnur für künftige ähnliche Fälle dient, besonders im rechtlichen Kontext.

1. Legal precedent B2 formal

   A previous court decision or case that serves as an example or authority for deciding similar cases in the future.

   • The judge cited a landmark precedent in her ruling.
   • This case sets a new precedent for intellectual property law.
   • Lawyers often rely on precedent to argue their cases.

   🇩🇪Präzedenzfall

   Synonyme: authoritycase lawdecisionjudgmentruling

2. General example B2 formal

   An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in similar circumstances.

   • There is no precedent for such a large-scale evacuation.
   • His decision broke with precedent and surprised everyone.
   • The company's policy set a precedent for flexible working hours.

   🇩🇪Präzedenzfall

   Synonyme: antecedentexampleexemplarguideinstancemodelpatternyardstick

• precedents plural form
• precedents' possessive plural form
• precedent's possessive singular form