preceding \(ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\adjective Etymology: from present participle of precede 1.: that precedes : going before (as in order, rank, time, or place) < had not eaten since the preceding day > < already stated in the preceding paragraph > 2.: west of or moving in the direction toward which stars appear to travel by diurnal motion — compare following