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

• forerunner
• ancestor
• precursor

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

What Tehran saw was continuity; Biden, like his predecessor, wanted regime change in Iran. —Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

Something his predecessors, Ashanti Hamilton, Arnitta Holliman, Reggie Moore, and Terry Perry, had to do as well since the office was founded in 2008. —Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Despite these challenges, Art SG and its predecessors have drawn attention to Singapore’s efforts to cultivate a vibrant art scene. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Before 2020, the guard and its predecessor – the DC Militia – were placed on federal active duty only 10 times in the District, according to the Congressional Research Service, including a multiyear deployment during the Civil War. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 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