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

Retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan's successor and the charges against Nick Reiner in the killing of his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, are revealed in last week's News Quiz. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025

The successor to his Best Picture winner follows a fresh crop of characters led by Paul Mescal, who stars as Hanno, a prisoner of war. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025

When the patriarch names his youngest daughter as his successor, the family is torn apart as her brother, a resentful nephew and others vie for control. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025

While bidding his farewell, Sajack advised his successor on how to be a great host. —Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

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)