predecessor

noun

pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər How to pronounce predecessor (audio)
ˈprē-;
ˌpre-də-ˈse-,
ˌprē- How to pronounce predecessor (audio)
1
: one that precedes
especially : a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
2
archaic : ancestor

Examples of predecessor in a Sentence

Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were. the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard
Recent Examples on the Web Johnson’s move to keep an initiative kick-started by his predecessor Lori Lightfoot will help combat vacancy rates in the city’s central business district, which climbed to a record in the fourth quarter, according to real estate brokerage Jones Lang LaSalle. Shruti Date Singh, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Charles Moran, president of Log Cabin Republicans, the main Republican LGBTQ+ organization, chalked it up to a personality difference between Garvey and his predecessors. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The challenge facing House Speaker Mike Johnson is the same as the one that plagued his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. Nr Editors, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 By pushing through changes that his predecessor had tried but failed to implement in the face of resistance from doctors, Mr. Yoon is hoping to improve his profile in an election year. Jin Yu Young, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Within this evolving landscape, Wi-Fi 7 emerges as a definitive response to the escalating demand, aspiring to transcend the functionalities offered by its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6. Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 This transfer of equity will make the generation wealthier than all their predecessors. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 Like its predecessor, the Chandler Mariachi Festival, this event promises to become an annual occurrence at the theater, which is seeking to expand its outreach to different communities and cultures in the Valley. Nadia Cantú, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Sparing us the decade-long gap between those projects, Winslet has made a quick return to HBO with The Regime, a six-episode story that struggles to come together as the equal of its predecessors. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predecessor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English predecessour, from Anglo-French predecessur, from Late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae- pre- + decessor retiring governor, from decedere to depart, retire from office — more at decease

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predecessor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near predecessor

Cite this Entry

“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predecessor. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

predecessor

noun
pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpred-ə-ˌses-ər How to pronounce predecessor (audio) ˈprēd- How to pronounce predecessor (audio)
: one that precedes
especially : a person who has held a position or office before another
Etymology

Middle English predecessour "predecessor," from early French predecesseur (same meaning), from Latin praedecessor "one that goes before," from prae- "before, pre-," and decessor "retiring governor," from decedere "to depart," from de- "from" and cedere "to go, go away" — related to ancestor, concede

More from Merriam-Webster on predecessor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!