prec·e·dent 
/ˈprɛsədənt/ noun
plural prec·e·dents /ˈprɛsədənt/ noun somewhat formal 1 : a similar action or event that happened at an earlier time [count] ▪ There are no precedents for these events. [=nothing like these events has ever happened before] [noncount] ▪ There isn't any precedent for these events. = These events are without precedent. 2 : something done or said that can be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future [count] ▪ The judge's ruling was based on a precedent established by an earlier decision. ▪ He says that the government will set/establish a dangerous precedent if it refuses to allow the protesters to hold a rally. [noncount] ▪ The judge's ruling was based/founded on legal precedent. 3 [noncount] : the usual or traditional way of doing something
▪ The voters broke (with) precedent [=they did something that had not been done before] when they elected a woman to the position.
▪ The voters broke (with) precedent [=they did something that had not been done before] when they elected a woman to the position.
