1. 发生在…之前；先于
    If one event or period of time precedes another, it happens before it.

precede的解释

    e.g. Intensive negotiations between the main parties preceded the vote...
           主要政党在选举前进行了集中的谈判。
    e.g. The earthquake was preceded by a loud roar and lasted 20 seconds...
           地震前有一阵巨大的轰隆声，持续了20秒钟。

2. （顺序、位置）先于，在…前面
    If you precede someone somewhere, you go in front of them.

    e.g. He gestured to Alice to precede them from the room...
           他给艾丽斯做手势，让她在他们前面离开房间。
    e.g. They were preceded by mounted cowboys.
           他们前面是骑马的牛仔们。

3. （句、段、章节）在…之前
    A sentence, paragraph, or chapter that precedes another one comes just before it.

    e.g. Look at the information that precedes the paragraph in question...
           查看正在讨论的这段文字前面的信息。
    e.g. Repeat the exercises described in the preceding section.
           把前一节要求的练习重做一遍。