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

Just over a year ago, Bradley ignited his senior career with a run of form that brought him into the conversation as a potential Alexander-Arnold successor, including a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory against Chelsea in the January. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

Their sole plausible successor, J.J.’s son, John, died suddenly at age 53 in 1962, a year ahead of his senescent father, who was never told of his death. —Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025

Quezada’s successor on the County Board will be chosen by Democratic committeepeople that span his district. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

At that point, Hamas had emerged victorious in elections and seized power amid a violent rift with the PA's leading Fatah faction, still led by Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 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)