succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən 

1

a

: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, title, or throne

b

: the right of a person or line to succeed

c

: the line having such a right

2

a

: the act or process of following in order : sequence

b(1)

: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both

(2)

: the act or process of a person's becoming beneficially entitled to a property or property interest of a deceased person

c

: the continuance of corporate personality

d

: unidirectional change in the composition of an ecosystem as the available competing organisms and especially the plants respond to and modify the environment

3

a

: a number of persons or things that follow each other in sequence

b

: a group, type, or series that succeeds or displaces another

successional

sək-ˈsesh-nəl 

-ˈse-shə-nᵊl

adjective

successionally adverb

Examples of succession in a Sentence

As third in the line of succession, she would only become queen if her brothers both died or became ineligible.

Recent Examples on the Web

More notably, finding a potential succession plan for Shaq Thompson should have been a priority. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2024

Once Gingrich was gone, the line of succession was not clear. —Ron Elving, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024

Because here’s the thing: Republicans already subjected themselves to painful mockery last fall by letting their right-wingers take down Speaker Kevin McCarthy without a succession plan in mind. —Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

The British royal family's line of succession in detail 37 photos While Charles did not participate in any official royal duties during treatment, he and Camilla were seen arriving at St. Mary Magdalene Church, close to Sandringham House in eastern England, in February. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024

His wife became Queen Mary and their eldest son became Crown Prince Christian, taking the King’s former styling, while the couple’s three younger children all moved up a spot in the line of succession. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024

Given the regime’s crumbling legitimacy and the high degree of dissatisfaction among the populace, there is a strong chance that new protests or civil disturbances would break out during succession. —Gregory Brew, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

Scenes then go on to glimpse, in quick succession, his unique brand of flexible sentiment. —Holly Jones, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024

In the last year, Johnson took the job, putting him second in line of succession for the presidency, after a handful of Republican rebels last fall voted to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the role. —USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin succession-, successio, from succedere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing succession

• in quick/rapid succession
• in succession
• succession duty

Kids Definition

succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈsesh-ən 

1

: the order, action, or right of succeeding to a throne, title, or property

2

a

: a repeated following of one person or thing after another

b

: a series of one-way changes in the composition of a biological community in which one group of plants or animals is replaced by a different group

successional

-ˈsesh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən 

1

a

: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, position, title, or throne

the sequence of succession to the presidency

b

: the right of a person or line of ancestry to succeed

c

: the line of ancestry having such a right

2

a

: the act or process of following in order

b

: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both

3

: the act or process by which a person becomes entitled to the property or property interest of a deceased person and especially an intestate : the transmission of the estate of a decedent to his or her heirs, legatees, or devisees

also : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities

—used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana

— intestate succession

: the transmission of property or property interests of a decedent as provided by statute as distinguished from the transfer in accordance with the decedent's will

also : the operation of such statutory provisions in transmitting intestate property

would take the property by intestate succession

in the civil law of Louisiana : property that is not disposed of by will but by operation of statute

who presents himself to claim an intestate succession

—Louisiana Civil Code

— testate succession

: the transmission of property in accordance with a valid will

— vacant succession

in the civil law of Louisiana : an estate that has not been claimed, of which the heirs are unknown, or that has been renounced by all of the heirs

4

a

: the continuance of a corporation's status as a legal person

perpetual corporate succession

b

: the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another

documents…that all aim to prepare your company for its new owner's succession

—Saul Berkowitz

5

: the act or process by which one state takes over or follows upon another and becomes entitled to its rights and position in international law