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

Only three officers faced discipline, even though a document in the packets indicates that investigators flagged emails from Jones, his predecessor Rick Clements and others as inappropriate. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

There’s an ironic challenge in retooling this genre for a generation famously more straight-edge than its living predecessors, though McElhaney and Kocher — nothing if not self-aware, as seasoned purveyors of internet sketch comedy — are on top of that, too. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

The focus now was on how the next pope could continue his predecessor’s reforms and, crucially, exhibit a prophetic spirit which engaged with the world. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026

Ten months after taking office, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday finally moved into his apartments in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, a historic papal residence that his predecessor had eschewed. —CBS News, 14 Mar. 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