If one event or period of time precedes another, it happens before it.
例句
Intensive negotiations between the main parties preceded the vote...主要政黨在選舉前進行了集中的談判。The earthquake was preceded by a loud roar and lasted 20 seconds...地震前有一陣巨大的轟隆聲，持續了20秒鐘。
VERB
（順序、位置）先于，在…前面
If you precede someone somewhere, you go in front of them.
例句
He gestured to Alice to precede them from the room...他給艾麗斯做手勢，讓她在他們前面離開房間。They were preceded by mounted cowboys.他們前面是騎馬的牛仔們。
VERB
（句、段、章節）在…之前
A sentence, paragraph, or chapter that precedes another one comes just before it.
例句
Look at the information that precedes the paragraph in question...查看正在討論的這段文字前面的信息。Repeat the exercises described in the preceding section.把前一節要求的練習重做一遍。
英漢詞典釋義
adj.
(時間或地點上)在先的, 在前的, 前面的
The plots of this novel in the preceding chapters are so complicated that I couldn't follow them.這本小說前幾章的情節如此復雜, 以至于我都看不懂。
英英詞典釋義
Adjective
1. existing or coming before
2. preceding in time or order
3. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office;