precedent

Everyday

1. An action or decision from the past that is used as an example or rule for what to do later. tree →
2. (law) An earlier judgement in court that judges follow in similar cases. tree →

In the lessons

Used in law, history and politics: «set a precedent», «without precedent» (never happened before), «break with precedent». In everyday life, parents might worry that letting one child stay up late sets a precedent for the others.

Examples

• If I let you stay up late, it will set a precedent. tree →
• The judge followed a precedent from an earlier case. tree →
• The flood was without precedent in the town's history. tree →
• Her election as the first woman leader set a precedent. tree →
• There is no precedent for a dog joining the school choir. tree →
• Courts in England follow precedent. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced «PRESS-i-dent». Homophone-ish trap: «precedent» (an example) vs «president» (a leader). Related: unprecedented (never happened before), precede (to come before).