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

Nearly seven years later, Kofod's successors -- again under the leadership of Frederiksen -- have faced a more protracted and aggressive campaign from Washington. —David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026

Earlier this week, it was reported by SPORT and MD how Barca has decided on Julian Alvarez as the successor to aging striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires on June 30. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The company has initiated a search for O’Connell’s successor. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

With the space station set to be decommissioned in 2030, the race is on to test its successors. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 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)