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 of predecessor

• forerunner
• ancestor
• precursor

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

For Osaka, blending high fashion into her day job is both a crucial form of self-expression and homage to her predecessors such as Venus and Serena Williams, who caused a stir and defined an era of tennis fashion with their boundary pushing designs. —Ava Wallace, New York Times, 28 May 2026

That compares to an average of 12 audits per year for nine straight years in his predecessor. —Rafael Perez, Daily News, 28 May 2026

Like it predecessor, the Bullet3, now on Kickstarter, is trying to change that with a micro-flashlight built to feel like a serious everyday-carry tool. —New Atlas, 28 May 2026

Silver was Shelly Silver, Heastie’s predecessor as speaker, who died a felon in federal prison. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

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

Rhymes for predecessor

• intercessor
• preprocessor
• vasopressor
• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor

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