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 of predecessor

• 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

Cao has served in an acting capacity as the civilian head of the Navy since April, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired his predecessor, John Phelan, after months of tension with other Pentagon leaders. — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

President Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to revoke a ban on new exploration licenses for oil and gas projects implemented under his predecessor Gustavo Petro, who had sought to make Colombia a positive model for the green energy transition. — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Every Avatar seems to have to deal with problems caused or left unresolved by their predecessors. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Cramer carried the ashes of his predecessor, a base manager named Al Dunton, in a jumpsuit pocket during his hundred-and-ninety-ninth fire jump. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

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