/ˈpresɪdənt ||; ˈprɛsədənt/noun [C,U] an official action or decision that has happened in the past and that is considered as an example or rule to follow in the same situation later 先例；前例: We don't want to set a precedent by allowing one person to come in late or they'll all want to do it. 我们不想容许一个人迟到而开先例，不然的话所有人都会仿效的。Such protests are without precedent in recent history. 这类抗议在最近的历史上是没有先例的。 ☞Look at unprecedented. 参看unprecedented。