Precedents Meaning in English
word · lemma: precedent
Definition
Events or decisions from the past that are used as examples to guide future actions or decisions, especially in law. A precedent helps people decide what to do in a similar current situation.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used in legal, academic, or formal contexts. Common phrase: 'set a precedent', meaning to create a new standard. In law, 'precedents' guide future court decisions; in daily language, may refer to previous habits or examples.
Example Sentences
The judge looked at old precedents before making a decision.
basic
Lawyers study precedents to prepare for new cases.
basic
There are no precedents for this type of situation.
basic
Breaking the rules could set dangerous precedents for the future.
natural
Companies often avoid actions that have bad precedents in history.
natural
When making big decisions, it's wise to consider past precedents.
natural