Order of precedence

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An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments. It can also be used in context of decorations, medals and awards.

One's position in an order of precedence is not necessarily an indication of functional importance, but rather an indication of ceremonial or historical relevance; for instance, it may dictate where dignitaries are seated at formal dinners. Additionally, it may serve as the order of succession to determine who replaces the head of state in the event they are removed from office or incapacitated, although the two terms are not interchangeable in most cases.

What follow are general orders of precedence. They may be regarded as default rules upon which almost all more specific orders of precedence, for particular occasions or in particular institutions, are based. Universities and the professions often have their own rules of precedence applied locally based (for example) on university or professional rank, each rank then being ordered within itself on the basis of seniority (i.e. date of attaining that rank).

Lists (people)

United States order of precedence

Order of precedence

Lists (people)

Lists (decorations and medals)

See also