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

Endorsing a successor before the primary carries inherent risk and perhaps more so for Newsom, who is positioning himself as a potential leading candidate in the 2028 presidential contest. —Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

The original House of Dior in Paris has been transformed into La Galerie Dior, a testament to the visionary boldness of couturier Christian Dior and his six successors, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferreé, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. —Jane Levere, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026

Neuronetics has launched a search to identify his successor. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026

Yionoulis’ appointment came out of a nationwide search for the successor to James Bundy, who had served in both those roles since 2002. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 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)