successor

noun

suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈse-sər How to pronounce successor (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Ram insisted the RHO was a distinct model for a different audience than the outgoing TRX, many saw is as the T-Rex’s successor. Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 On May 8, the singer-songwriter was spotted in the crowd in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican, when Pope Leo XIV was elected as the late Pope Francis' successor. Daniela Avila, People.com, 30 June 2025 Poland's departing President Andrzej Duda visited Ukraine on June 28 and urged Kyiv to be patient during the handover to his nationalist successor, Karol Nawrocki. USA Today, 29 June 2025 Following previous Bond stars Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, Craig’s successor has not yet been chosen. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for successor

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of successor was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successor. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

successor

noun
suc·​ces·​sor sək-ˈses-ər How to pronounce successor (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce successor (audio)
: one that follows : one that succeeds another (as in a position, title, office, or estate)

More from Merriam-Webster on successor

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