A precedent is something that precedes, or comes before. The Supreme Court relies on precedents—that is, earlier laws or decisions that provide some example or rule to guide them in the …

PRECEDENT definition: a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases. See examples of precedent used in a sentence.

I worry about giving into her demands because it then sets a precedent. The court's decision has set a legal precedent. This decision set an important legal precedent for other countries.

A precedent is 'binding' on a court if the precedent was made by a superior court that is higher in the hierarchy of courts. A binding precedent must be followed if the precedent is relevant and the …

1. an act or instance that may serve as an example or justification for subsequent situations. 2. a legal decision serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in similar cases that follow. 3. established …

Definition of precedent noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [countable, uncountable] an official action or decision that has happened in the past and that is seen as an example or a rule …

Precedent refers to a court decision that is considered an authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues.