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

Multiple sources close to members of the Madrid squad spoke of a feeling of frustration within the dressing room, with many senior figures feeling disrespected and dissatisfied, and a feeling that Alonso is much more distant with them than predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile Penn State last year was on the hook for more than $900,000 in football coaching severance per the KnightNewhouse database, presumably due to Mike Yurcich, Kotelnicki’s predecessor who was fired in 2023. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025

The data also helps with fresh iterations of a shoe, as well as plays a role in ideating new models, with each predecessor becoming the benchmark for the next one. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Even more preoccupied with toilet humor than its predecessor, Scary Movie 2 hauled in substantially less at the box office. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 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