successor

noun

suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈse-sər 

: one that follows

especially : one who succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office

Examples of successor in a Sentence

The CEO's successor used to be the vice president here.

the successor to the throne

Recent Examples on the Web

Hoeld will oversee Puma’s sports marketing activities on an interim basis until a successor is named. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

If the naked dress is old news, this might be its even more daring successor. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026

Quarterback Josh Hoover arrives from TCU to be Mendoza’s successor under center. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The system that allows certain actors to manipulate the system to appoint successors is not democratic, fair or ethical. — Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English successour, from Anglo-French, from Latin successor, from succedere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for successor

• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor
• processor
• professor
• repressor

Kids Definition

successor

noun

suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈses-ər 

: one that follows

especially : a person who succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office

Legal Definition

successor

noun

suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈse-sər 

: one that follows : one that succeeds another (as in a position, title, office, or estate)