What does the verb precede mean?

• A. To exist before something
• B. To have a higher rank than someone
• C. To follow after
• D. To come before

Answer: (D)

Precede means to come before in time or order. It describes the sequence of events, the order of steps, or the position of items in a line. For example, the opening ceremony precedes the keynote speech, the introduction precedes the main chapters, and Event A precedes Event B on a timeline. So the idea is about something happening earlier or being ahead in order. The other ideas don’t fit as neatly: existing before something would use a different term like preexist, having a higher rank refers to hierarchy, and following after is the opposite of coming before.