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Glite Dictionary
⬆️ Higher importance ⏳ Earlier occurrence 🔢 Order of operations
precedence

precedence

2 7.0
A rule that shows which math or computer operations are done first
  • noun
  • /ˈpriːsɪdəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : precedencia
  • Multiplication takes precedence, as the phrase goes.

Examples

  • In Windows, Ethernet cable takes precedence as the connectivity between wireless and wired has much variation.

    Blog text (18)

  • Do I have to explain the table of precedence again?

    Gosford Park (2001)

  • Like those are where you have to choose which value is going to take precedence in this equation.

  • In my experience, when I am connected both wirelessly and via ethernet cable on Windows, the ethernet connection takes precedence.

    Blog text (18)

  • The operator takes precedence, so the way it is written, "laptop coupons OR laptop deals OR laptop promotions" is interpreted as laptop (coupons OR laptop) (deals OR laptop) promotions.

    Blog text (25)

  • In mathematics, the order of operations follows specific rules to determine the precedence of various operations.

  • In programming, multiplication has a higher precedence than addition, so it is evaluated first.

  • When evaluating an expression, the rules of operator precedence dictate how each part of the expression is processed.

Surface Forms

precedence singular
precedences plural

Morphology

precedence = precede (semi-transparent) = pre + cede + ence

The morphological formation is regular, but the technical sense (rules for ordering operators) is domain-specific and may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Precedence comes from prae- 'before' and cedere 'to go', the same root as in precede. In math and computing, precedence tells which operation 'goes before' the others, so it decides the order you must do things.