ABSTRACT: Although Precambrian rocks represent 75% of the exposed surface area of the planet, the application of stratigraphic nomenclature to Precambrian rocks units lags far behind that of younger rocks, even though it has been 25 years since the 1983 NorthAmerican Stratigraphic Code introduced the concept of lithodemic units which were designed specifically for stratigraphic analysis of intrusive and metamorphic rock bodies. This paper is a primer for the application of lithostratigraphic (sensu lato) nomenclature for Precambrian rocks, illustrated with examples from the literature. Examples of formal stratigraphic units include Formation, Group and Supergroup (lithostratigraphic units, sensu stricto), which can be applied to rocks of low-metamorphic-gradewhere the law of superposition applies; and Lithodeme, Suite, Supersuite, Complex and Structural Complex, which can be applied to low- to high-metamorphic- grade intrusive and/or metamorphic rocks where the law of superposition cannot be demonstrated. Examples of informal stratigraphic units can include all of the previous units where they are not formally defined, as well as units such as gneiss associations and tectonic assemblages. With the availability of this wide range of tools, there is no reason why Precambrian stratigraphic nomenclature cannot become both more widespread and formalized, regardless of the degree of metamorphism and deformation.