predecessor

noun

pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər 

ˈprē-;

ˌpre-də-ˈse-,

ˌprē- 

1

: one that precedes

especially : a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded

2

archaic : ancestor

Synonyms

• ancestor
• antecedent
• archetype
• daddy
• foregoer
• forerunner
• granddaddy
• grandaddy
• precursor
• prototype

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

This breaks from tradition, as many of Pope Francis' predecessors have been buried inside the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, Reuters reported. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

For Catholics who saw his predecessors’ stress on inalterable absolutes as a weakness, not a strength, his recognition of social change and his willingness to foster progress in the Church came just in time. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

He was elected pope in 2013 after the almost unprecedented retirement of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. —Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for predecessor

• intercessor
• preprocessor
• vasopressor
• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor

Kids Definition

predecessor

noun

pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpred-ə-ˌses-ər  ˈprēd- 

: 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