succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən 

1

a

: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, title, or throne

b

: the right of a person or line to succeed

c

: the line having such a right

2

a

: the act or process of following in order : sequence

b(1)

: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both

(2)

: the act or process of a person's becoming beneficially entitled to a property or property interest of a deceased person

c

: the continuance of corporate personality

d

: unidirectional change in the composition of an ecosystem as the available competing organisms and especially the plants respond to and modify the environment

3

a

: a number of persons or things that follow each other in sequence

b

: a group, type, or series that succeeds or displaces another

successional

sək-ˈsesh-nəl 

-ˈse-shə-nᵊl

adjective

successionally adverb

Examples of succession in a Sentence

As third in the line of succession, she would only become queen if her brothers both died or became ineligible.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the last year, Johnson took the job, putting him second in line of succession for the presidency, after a handful of Republican rebels last fall voted to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the role. —USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

Trian harshly criticized Disney’s streaming strategy, lagging stock price and succession planning. —Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

For decades, succession planning has been among the Burbank giant’s most vexing issues. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

The Morningstar analyst also emphasized the need for succession planning. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

Peltz’s main criticisms of Disney’s board were that the company had botched succession planning for Iger and had failed to put together a profitable streaming strategy. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Reports have also started to emerge about the succession planning, including in CNBC and THR. —Oliver Darcy, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

One of Peltz’s biggest complaints has been his allegation that Disney’s board has failed to do its job with CEO succession planning, in failing to vet former parks boss Bob Chapek — Iger’s pick to take over the job in 2020. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Upon receiving his contract extension nearly a year ago, Iger emphasized in a statement his commitment to a smooth succession. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin succession-, successio, from succedere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing succession

• in quick/rapid succession
• in succession
• succession duty

Kids Definition

succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈsesh-ən 

1

: the order, action, or right of succeeding to a throne, title, or property

2

a

: a repeated following of one person or thing after another

b

: a series of one-way changes in the composition of a biological community in which one group of plants or animals is replaced by a different group

successional

-ˈsesh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən 

1

a

: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, position, title, or throne

the sequence of succession to the presidency

b

: the right of a person or line of ancestry to succeed

c

: the line of ancestry having such a right

2

a

: the act or process of following in order

b

: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both

3

: the act or process by which a person becomes entitled to the property or property interest of a deceased person and especially an intestate : the transmission of the estate of a decedent to his or her heirs, legatees, or devisees

also : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities

—used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana

— intestate succession

: the transmission of property or property interests of a decedent as provided by statute as distinguished from the transfer in accordance with the decedent's will

also : the operation of such statutory provisions in transmitting intestate property

would take the property by intestate succession

in the civil law of Louisiana : property that is not disposed of by will but by operation of statute

who presents himself to claim an intestate succession

—Louisiana Civil Code

— testate succession

: the transmission of property in accordance with a valid will

— vacant succession

in the civil law of Louisiana : an estate that has not been claimed, of which the heirs are unknown, or that has been renounced by all of the heirs

4

a

: the continuance of a corporation's status as a legal person

perpetual corporate succession

b

: the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another

documents…that all aim to prepare your company for its new owner's succession

—Saul Berkowitz

5

: the act or process by which one state takes over or follows upon another and becomes entitled to its rights and position in international law