What does predate mean?
Predate means To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".).
Predate
/ˈpɹiːˌdeɪt/ · verb
Meaning
To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".).
Definitions by Sense
- To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".)
- (transitive) To exist or to occur before something else; to antedate.
- A publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, that is issued with a printed date later than the date of issue.
- (ambitransitive) To prey upon something.
Example Sentences
The Chinese use of Pascal's Triangle predates its discovery by Blaise Pascal.
"The Tees Valley has ageing diesel trains that predate any form of emission control.
Synonyms for predate
Antonyms for predate
Related Words
Word Forms
- predates
- predating
- predated
- pre-date
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for predate?
Common synonyms include antedate, backdate, foredate, precede.
What is the opposite of predate?
Possible antonyms include overdate, postdate, follow.
How do you use predate in a sentence?
The Chinese use of Pascal's Triangle predates its discovery by Blaise Pascal.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.