cede

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cede" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is giving up control, possession, or rights to something, often in legal or formal situations. Example: "The country decided to cede its territory to the neighboring nation as part of the peace treaty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Polls suggest that, having failed to get their supporters to back the union, Labour has lost a mass of support, and could cede as many as 20 of its 41 seats to the SNP.

The Guardian

That way we can cede the centre to the social democrats in New er) Labour and the Lib Dem rump and concentrate on building a mass movement that represents the aspirations of millions of people for a radical alternative.

The Guardian

"If we care about America's position in the 21st century, we can't cede the most dynamic region in the world to China," said McConnell in a passionate plea not to walk away from the trade deal.

The Guardian

But foreign media firms have been slow to make big investments, opting instead for small stakes or licensing deals in a fragmented market dominated by regional language titles and family owned firms that are reluctant to cede editorial control.

The Guardian

As traditional donors and agencies cede ground to the private sector it is inevitable that the old ways of working will have to change.

The Guardian

There was a futuristic slant to the presentation of the collection that suggests Wang is not prepared to cede any aesthetic ground to his predecessor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act obliges foreign-owned companies operating in the country to cede at least a 51% controlling stake to black Zimbabweans.

The Guardian

Chivas is more than happy to cede possession: it's up to Portland to make something of that possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Its "indigenisation" policy will force foreign firms to "cede" a 51% stake to locals.

The Economist

The LSE had already postponed a scheduled vote on the iX deal, but shareholders still had a chance to show their discontent by voting against the re-election of leading board members: Don Cruickshank, chairman of the LSE since April, who was to chair iX; Gavin Casey, who was to cede his role as chief executive to Mr Seifert; and Michael Marks.

The Economist

Civil conversation becomes culture war; arguments and reason cede to emotion and anger.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cede" when you want to convey the formal act of giving up control or possession, particularly in legal, political, or territorial contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cede" interchangeably with words like "seed" or "secede". "Cede" means to give up, while "seed" refers to planting, and "secede" means to withdraw formally from membership of a federal union, alliance, or political or religious organization.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cede" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being given up or relinquished. Ludwig shows that "cede" is commonly used in sentences where entities are giving up control, territory, or rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cede" is a transitive verb that means to give up, give way, or give away something, often power, territory, or rights. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. While synonyms like "relinquish", "surrender", and "give up" exist, "cede" is most appropriate when describing a formal act of relinquishment. When writing, avoid confusing "cede" with similar-sounding words like "seed" or "secede". Its high frequency and consistent usage in authoritative sources solidify its place as a valuable word in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give up

More informal and general term for surrendering something.

concede

Often used in debates or negotiations to acknowledge defeat.

relinquish

Implies a more formal and often unwilling surrender.

surrender

Often used in the context of warfare or formal agreements.

yield

Suggests giving way under pressure or force.

hand over

More colloquial and implies a physical transfer.

transfer

Implies a formal or legal shift of ownership or control.

grant

Suggests a formal or legal bestowal of something.

deliver

Implies handing something over, often in a formal manner.

assign

Implies to give or allocate to a specific person or for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How is "cede" typically used in a sentence?

The word "cede" is used to indicate the formal act of relinquishing control, ownership, or territory. For example, "The company had to "cede control" of its operations after the merger".

What are some common synonyms for "cede"?

Common synonyms for "cede" include "relinquish", "surrender", "yield", and "concede". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "cede" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "cede" is more appropriate for formal writing and speech. In informal conversation, it's often better to use simpler alternatives like "give up" or "hand over".

What's the difference between "cede" and "secede"?

"Cede" means to give up something, while "secede" means to withdraw formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state. They have opposite meanings, though they sound similar. For example, a country might "cede territory" to another, while a state might "secede from" a country.