predecessor

noun

pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər 

ˈprē-;

ˌpre-də-ˈse-,

ˌprē- 

1

: one that precedes

especially : a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded

2

archaic : ancestor

Synonyms

• ancestor
• antecedent
• archetype
• daddy
• foregoer
• forerunner
• granddaddy
• grandaddy
• precursor
• prototype

Examples of predecessor in a Sentence

Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were.

the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard

Recent Examples on the Web

The movie isn’t a patch on its predecessor, but that was never the comp. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025

Like its predecessor, IM-2 will carry NASA CLPS payloads, which will study the possible abundance of water ice at the moon's south pole, among other tasks. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025

While prices have risen and then dropped significantly under Biden's tenure, the CPI report confirms that Trump is set to inherit a stubborn economic reality from his predecessor. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

The first Trump administration used temporary appointments far more often than his predecessors. —Peter Kastor, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English predecessour, from Anglo-French predecessur, from Late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae- pre- + decessor retiring governor, from decedere to depart, retire from office — more at decease

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

predecessor

noun

pre·​de·​ces·​sor ˈpred-ə-ˌses-ər  ˈprēd- 

: one that precedes

especially : a person who has held a position or office before another

Etymology

Middle English predecessour "predecessor," from early French predecesseur (same meaning), from Latin praedecessor "one that goes before," from prae- "before, pre-," and decessor "retiring governor," from decedere "to depart," from de- "from" and cedere "to go, go away" — related to ancestor, concede