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

The current storm is not as impactful as its predecessor, which dumped up to a foot of snow in the Northeast, but is still bringing several inches of snow to the Southeast on Friday. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Standing at five feet eight inches, Figure 03 represents an upgrade over its predecessor, Figure 02, featuring a sharper sensory system, a softer aesthetic, and enhanced coordination. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025

DePodesta and Byrnes are the polar opposites of predecessors Greg Feasel and Bill Schmidt, who judged their performance not on how players were producing, but their own brown-nosing of Dick Monfort. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025

Such a situation would be a massive blow to USPS, as the new Postmaster General tries to engineer the multi-year turnaround that his predecessor, Louis DeJoy, could not. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 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