名詞 precedence:

1. status established in order of importance or urgency
   同義詞：precedency, priority
2. preceding in time
   同義詞：priority, antecedence, antecedency, anteriority, precedency
3. the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
   同義詞：precession, precedency

1. An authoritative rating that establishes such precedence.
   建立這種居先地位的有權(quán)威的分級
2. The elder son has precedence over the younger one.
   長子較之非長子享有優(yōu)先權(quán)。
3. The longest-serving officer always takes precedence.
   任職時間最長的官員事事優(yōu)先。
4. The needs of the community must take precedence over (ie must be met before) individual requirements.
   公眾的利益高於個人的利益。

prec.e.dence

n.（名詞）
The fact, state, or right of preceding; priority:
領(lǐng)先：領(lǐng)先的事實(shí)、狀態(tài)或權(quán)利；優(yōu)先權(quán)：
例句：
Those applications arriving first will receive precedence.
最先到的申請者將有優(yōu)先權(quán)

Priority claimed or received because of preeminence or superiority:
優(yōu)先權(quán)：由于其重要性或較高地位而要求或得到的優(yōu)先權(quán)：
例句：
Our company will continue to assert its precedence as the world`s leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.
我們公司由于在世界藥品生產(chǎn)中的領(lǐng)先地位而將繼續(xù)斷言其優(yōu)先權(quán)

A ceremonial order of rank or preference, especially as observed on formal occasions:
地位先后，級別高低：尤指在正式場合中所遵循的地位或偏好上的禮節(jié)順序：
例句：
Recipients of military honors were called in order of precedence—highest ranking officers first.
軍功章的獲得者們被按級別高低召見──等級最高的官員排在第一位