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

The wagers fly as the highest-ranking leaders of the Catholic Church converge in Rome to pick the next successor to St. Peter's throne. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025

The last of the voting members of the conclave to choose his successor making their way to Rome, many gathering in near general congregations to get to know each other and discuss the issues facing the church. —ABC News, 4 May 2025

The doc follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 2 May 2025

His successors may well promise to replicate his frenetic activity. —Nr Editors, National Review, 2 May 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)