precedent

/ˈpresɪdənt/ noun [C]

Definition

› LAW a previous action or decision that can be used as a reason for allowing something else: The ruling can serve as a precedent to challenge other similar cases. A judgement against the fund could set a precedent for compensation payments to more of its 6,000 investors. This is an experiment without precedent in economic history.a bad/dangerous/good precedent This law sets a very dangerous precedent for all businesses. create/establish/provide a precedent a legal precedent base sth on/follow a precedent → See also condition precedent

(Definition of precedent noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)