Real Dictionary

precede
verb: A sentence, paragraph, or chapter that precedes another one comes just before it.
verb: If one event or period of time precedes another, it happens before it.
verb: If you precede someone somewhere, you go in front of them.

precede in American English
to be, come, or go before
to be, come, or go before in time, place, order, rank, or importance
intransitive verb: to go or come before
noun: copy printed at the beginning of a news story presenting late bulletins, editorial notes, or prefatory remarks
transitive verb: to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time

precede in British English
verb: to go or be before (someone or something) in time, place, rank, etc