predecessor

[ pred-uh-ses-er, pred-uh-ses-eror, especially British, pree-duh-ses-er ]

noun

1. a person who precedes another in an office, position, etc.
2. something succeeded or replaced by something else:

   The new monument in the park is more beautiful than its predecessor.

3. Archaic. an ancestor; forefather.

predecessor

/ ˈpriːdɪˌsɛsə /

noun

1. a person who precedes another, as in an office
2. something that precedes something else
3. an ancestor; forefather

Word History and Origins

Origin of predecessor¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English predecessour, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin praedēcessor, from Latin prae- pre- + dēcessor “retiring official” (equivalent to dēcēd(ere) “to withdraw” + -tor -tor; de-, cede )

Word History and Origins

Origin of predecessor¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin praedēcessor, from prae before + dēcēdere to go away, from dē away + cēdere to go

Example Sentences

The new model, however, has 60 percent more air capacity than its predecessor, which allows for greater adjustments between soft and firm.

From Popular-Science

He years ago pushed for an infrastructure tax hike that ultimately never happened and has supported tax hikes more than his predecessor.

From Voice of San Diego

She was hired behind closed doors, before the public even knew that her predecessor was leaving.

From Voice of San Diego

Two factions, the Greens and Blues—the predecessors of today’s soccer hooligans—broke into a fight.

From Nautilus

Lewis and Libby dove deep into Marten’s tenure, including how she got the job — and how her predecessor may be set up to take a similarly unconventional path to lead the district.

From Voice of San Diego

Under the current president and his predecessor, Jett notes, the ambassadorship of Belize has gone to college roommates.

From The Daily Beast

Austin Mahone, the teenage pop star with a more wholesome image than his predecessor Justin Bieber wants to tell you his story.

From The Daily Beast

The 247 was the first airplane really to define the form of a modern airliner, flying faster and higher than any predecessor.

From The Daily Beast

Scott says he last spoke to his predecessor a few days ago, although he never explicitly gave his blessing.

From The Daily Beast

Now Obama needs his predecessor to help prevent a solid Republican Congress from hassling him all the way to January 20, 2017.

From The Daily Beast

The clock struck ten, and clerks poured in faster than ever, each one in a greater perspiration than his predecessor.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, the North Midland railway, part predecessor of the Midland, was involved in difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

But the victory of Maubeuge nearly cost him his head, as that of Handschtten had done for his predecessor.

From Project Gutenberg

The lofty part of his predecessor Ximenes was out of the range, not more of his intellectual, than his moral capacity.

From Project Gutenberg

This is Cervantes's description of the national stage in the time of his immediate predecessor, Lope de Rueda.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ancestor
• forebear