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

Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK. —Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

The legislation would terminate the current attorney general’s term on the day the bill is signed into law, and his successor would not need Senate confirmation. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025

Platner also worked as a contractor for Constellis, a successor to the security company Blackwater, which has angered some online activists. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Monsoon couldn’t be happier about her successor’s appointment. —Evan Ross Katz, Them., 4 Sep. 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)