cede

Everyday

1. (formal) To give up land, power or rights to someone else, often because you have to, for example after a war or a deal. tree →
2. (formal, sport) To give away a point or advantage, as in «cede possession». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, countries ceded land in treaties: Spain ceded Florida, and China ceded Hong Kong to Britain in 1842. In news and politics it is the formal word for handing over control. It tells the reader power or land is changing hands.

Examples

• The country had to cede land after the war. tree →
• In 1842, China ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain. tree →
• The king would not cede any power to the nobles. tree →
• The team ceded the ball too easily. tree →
• The landowner ceded part of his field for a road. tree →
• Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819. tree →

Note

Regular verb: ceded, ceding. Formal: in plain talk say «give up» or «hand over». Homophone trap: «cede» sounds like «seed». Related nouns: cession (not «session»). Spelling family: cede, concede, precede, recede.