precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌkər- 

1

a

: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another

b

: predecessor

2

: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed

precursory

pri-ˈkərs-rē 

-ˈkər-sə-

adjective

Did you know?

Precursor Has Latin Roots

With its prefix pre-, meaning "before", a precursor is literally a "forerunner", and in fact forerunner first appeared as the translation of the Latin praecursor. But the two words function a little differently today. A forerunner may simply come before another thing, but a precursor generally paves the way for something. So, for example, the Office of Strategic Services in World War II was the immediate precursor of today's Central Intelligence Agency, while the blues music of the 1930s and 1940s was only one of the precursors of the rock and roll of today.

Synonyms

• angel
• foregoer
• forerunner
• harbinger
• herald
• outrider

Choose the Right Synonym for precursor

forerunner, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another.

forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

the blockade was the forerunner of war

precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.

18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics

harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.

their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season

the herald of a new age in medicine

Examples of precursor in a Sentence

18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics

a precursor of the modern eggplant

Recent Examples on the Web

Funk Generation follows Anitta’s three-track bundle, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story, which was released in 2023 as a precursor to the new album. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

The film follows its precursor with an all-new adventure, where Kong and Godzilla unite against an undiscovered threat hidden within their world. —Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024

The most constant and widespread rainfall is forecast to begin late Friday across Los Angeles County and continue through early Saturday — a precursor for a less steady, but possibly strong, string of showers and thunderstorms expected to last through Sunday. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Franks, who did not submit a yearend finance report, represented in the U.S. House a precursor to what is now the 8th district. —Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024

Khan’s bid for reelection in May will be the UK’s first major vote in this strange new world, a precursor to a national election happening some time this year—and, quite possibly, a warning sign of how dangerous the merging of populism, extremism, and technology has become. —Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024

Her cooperative became one of the earliest examples of modern community gardening and a precursor of today’s food justice movement. —Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024

Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Surprisingly, the Best Picture battle of the three-hour-plus movies was over relatively quickly, after winners for significant precursors were announced. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024

In 2019, Polly was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame for evangelizing computers in public libraries, the precursor to the internet being offered as a core service in those spaces. —Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English precursoure, from Latin praecursor, from praecurrere to run before, from prae- pre- + currere to run — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌkər- 

1

: predecessor

2

: a substance or cell from which another substance or cell is formed

Medical Definition

precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌ 

1

: one that precedes and indicates the onset of another

angina may be the precursor of a second infarction

2

: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed especially by natural processes