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

However, the bones may also be those of Aelfwig’s successor, Wulboth, who died in 1049 and was likely buried on the grounds as well. — ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

The day before his successor as California’s governor is elected in the high stakes midterms, Gavin Newsom is going out with a bang. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Lowden’s name gained particular traction in September after Oldman appeared to suggest that Bond producers had already selected Craig’s successor. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Koosman battled an assortment of injuries in 1971 and ’72 and for a time was relegated to the bullpen by Hodges’ successor Yogi Berra in ’72 before returning to the rotation and winding up 11-12. — Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 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)