predecessor

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noun pre·de·ces·sor \ ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər , ˈprē- ; ˌpre-də-ˈ , ˌprē- \

Definition of predecessor

1 :one that precedes; especially :a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded

2 archaic :ancestor

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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 of predecessor from the Web

Trump's predecessors have also benefited from the political opportunities that can arise after natural disasters.

— julie pace, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's turn to face tricky politics of natural disasters," 29 Aug. 2017
The deal essentially rewrites an arrangement that began in 1972, when a Freeport predecessor began mining operations there under an agreement with a military dictatorship that was comfortable with the United States.

— jon emont, New York Times, "Freeport to Give Indonesia a Majority Stake in Its Grasberg Mine," 29 Aug. 2017
Cardiac predecessor cells appear to rejuvenate the hearts of older animals, according to a recent study from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute that may lead to tests in humans.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Young cardiac cells rejuvenate heart in animal study," 29 Aug. 2017
Given this, a lot is riding on the success of the LEAD Classic class of 2018 and their predecessors.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "LEAD Clermont: developing, connecting leaders to service opportunities," 24 Aug. 2017
But the way that believers talk about women’s roles in their movement today is very similar to how predecessor groups talked about the same topic.

— michelle legro, Longreads, "How Can Alt-Right Women Exist in a Misogynistic Movement?," 22 Aug. 2017
Yes, with virtually all of President Trump's predecessors.

— vanityfair.com, "Will Trump’s Fans Care He Lied About the Times?," 24 July 2017
Not to mention his predecessor was formally a one-term U.S. senator and Illinois state senator.

— michael arceneaux, Essence.com, "Sen. Kamala Harris May Be A Freshman, But Don't Tell Her To Wait Her Turn In 2020," 24 July 2017
This occurred in the waning days of the governorship of Jim Doyle, Walker's Democratic predecessor.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "A Big Boom in a Small Place," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predecessor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of predecessor

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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