precedence

(noun) status established in order of importance or urgency. Synonyms: precedency, priority. Examples: "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals." "National independence takes priority over class struggle."

(noun) preceding in time. Synonyms: priority, antecedence, antecedency, anteriority, precedency.

(noun) the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony). Synonyms: precession, precedency.