precedence

名词 precedence:

1. status established in order of importance or urgency
   同义词：precedency, priority
2. preceding in time
   同义词：priority, antecedence, antecedency, anteriority, precedency
3. the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
   同义词：precession, precedency

1. An authoritative rating that establishes such precedence.
   建立这种居先地位的有权威的分级
2. The elder son has precedence over the younger one.
   长子较之非长子享有优先权。
3. The longest-serving officer always takes precedence.
   任职时间最长的官员事事优先。
4. The needs of the community must take precedence over (ie must be met before) individual requirements.
   公众的利益高於个人的利益。

prec.e.dence

n.（名词）
The fact, state, or right of preceding; priority:
领先：领先的事实、状态或权利；优先权：
例句：
Those applications arriving first will receive precedence.
最先到的申请者将有优先权

Priority claimed or received because of preeminence or superiority:
优先权：由于其重要性或较高地位而要求或得到的优先权：
例句：
Our company will continue to assert its precedence as the world`s leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.
我们公司由于在世界药品生产中的领先地位而将继续断言其优先权

A ceremonial order of rank or preference, especially as observed on formal occasions:
地位先后，级别高低：尤指在正式场合中所遵循的地位或偏好上的礼节顺序：
例句：
Recipients of military honors were called in order of precedence—highest ranking officers first.
军功章的获得者们被按级别高低召见──等级最高的官员排在第一位