precedency

prec·e·dence

P0508900 (prĕs′ĭ-dəns, prĭ-sēd′ns) also prec·e·den·cy (prĕs′ĭ-dən-sē, prĭ-sēd′n-sē)n.1. The fact, state, or right of coming before in time, order, or position: Applications arriving first will receive precedence in processing.2. Priority claimed or received because of greater importance: The prospect of big investment returns took precedence over limiting risk.3. A ceremonial order of rank or preference, especially as observed on formal occasions: Recipients of military honors were called in order of precedence—highest ranking officers first.

prec•e•dence

(ˈprɛs ɪ dəns, prɪˈsid ns)

n. 1. the act or fact of preceding. 2. the right to be dealt with or placed before others; priority in order, rank, or importance. 3. the order of rank to be observed in ceremonies, as by diplomatic protocol. [1475–85]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	precedency - status established in order of importance or urgency; "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals"; "national independence takes priority over class struggle"precedence, priorityhigh status - a position of superior statusback burner - reduced priority; "dozens of cases were put on the back burner"front burner - top priority; "the work was moved to the front burner in order to meet deadlines"
	2.	precedency - preceding in timeantecedence, antecedency, anteriority, precedence, priorityearliness - quality of coming early or earlier in time
	3.	precedency - the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)precession, precedenceactivity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity"

precedency

nounThe act, condition, or right of preceding:antecedence, precedence, priority, right of way.