~ (sb/sth) to happen before sth or come before sth/sb in order 在…之前发生（或出现）；先于
the years preceding the war
战前的几年
His resignation was preceded by weeks of speculation.
在他辞职之前，有关的猜测已持续了几个星期。
🔊🔊
She preceded me in the job.
她是我这工作的前任。
🔊🔊
See the preceding chapter.
参见前一章。