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

Exxon and Venezuela had a major legal battle after Maduro’s predecessor, the late President Hugo Chavez, confiscated the company’s assets in the South American country. —Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

The outdoor ceremony featured a number of speakers on a red dais, including Kim and Mayor Brandon Johnson, with his predecessor, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who drove the casino project, in a front-row seat. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

That was after Nottingham dominated the European Cup, the predecessor of the Champions League, and won the trophy in 1979 and 1980. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Rocha Moya, a member of the Sheinbaum's left-leaning Morena party and close ally of her predecessor, has governed the violent state since 2021. —CBS News, 30 Apr. 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