precursor
Americannoun
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a person or thing that precedes, as in a job, a method, etc.; predecessor.
- Synonyms:
- forerunner
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a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger.
The first robin is a precursor of spring.
- Synonyms:
- herald
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Chemistry, Biochemistry. a chemical that is transformed into another compound, as in the course of a chemical reaction, and therefore precedes that compound in the synthetic pathway.
Cholesterol is a precursor of testosterone.
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Biology. a cell or tissue that gives rise to a variant, specialized, or more mature form.
noun
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a person or thing that precedes and shows or announces someone or something to come; harbinger
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a predecessor or forerunner
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a chemical substance that gives rise to another more important substance
Etymology
Origin of precursor
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin praecursor forerunner. See pre-, cursor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While the Critics' Choice Awards, held in Santa Monica, can boost momentum as the Oscars race heats up, they are regarded as being less influential than many other precursor ceremonies.
From BBC
A railroad-heavy precursor, started 12 years earlier, evolved into the Dow Jones Transportation Average.
From Barron's
Moody’s also recently saw a material increase in quarterly revenue in its ratings assessment service, which is usually a precursor to future debt issuance, the analysts say.
Moody’s also recently saw a material increase in quarterly revenue in its ratings assessment service, which is usually a precursor to future debt issuance, the analysts say.
The separation of Kraken, which Octopus flagged in September and expects to occur by the middle of 2026, is seen by analysts as a precursor to a likely initial public offering.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
