precedence in WordNet English dictionary

1. preceding in time
   priority  antecedence  antecedency  anteriority  precedence  precedency 
   
2. the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
   precession  precedence  precedency 
   
3. status established in order of importance or urgency
   "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals"; "national independence takes priority over class struggle"
   precedence  precedency  priority