Something is preceding if it comes directly before. The preceding sentence is not so much a definition of the word preceding as a description of it. To cede is to give way, so when you use preceding to describe, say, a person, you're essentially describing him as the one that just gave way. Previous is a good synonyms.

How do you use preceding in a sentence?

1. It had happened during the preceding year. 2. The author anticipated the question in a preceding chapter.

What does preceding mean in a sentence?

preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place. the preceding sentence antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation. conditions antecedent to the revolution foregoing applies chiefly to statements.