<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>act or fact of preceding.</li><li>preceding.</li><li>the right to precede in order, rank, or importance; priority.</li><li>the fact of preceding; preceding in time; antedating.</li><li>the right to precede others in ceremonies or social formalities.</li><li>the order to be observed in ceremonies by persons of different ranks, as by diplomatic protocol.</li></ul>