dictionary.pt

precedent

nounmasculineformalcommon/pɾɨ.sɨˈðẽ.tɨ/pre·ce·den·te

Definition

An earlier event, decision, or case that serves as an example or justification for similar subsequent cases, especially in law.

“The court's ruling set a dangerous precedent.”

“There is no precedent for this situation in our company.”

set a precedentlegal precedentfollow a precedentdangerous precedent