1. to exist or occur at an earlier time than something else
Usage: past tense of predate
2. to mark with an earlier date than the actual date
Usage: past tense of predate

Examples

• The ancient ruins predated the Roman Empire by several centuries.
• These fossils predated the extinction of the dinosaurs.
• The manuscript predated the invention of the printing press.
• She predated the check to make it appear it was written earlier.
• The cave paintings predated any known civilization in the region.
• The contract was predated to avoid legal complications.