predecessor
Americannoun
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a person who precedes another in an office, position, etc.
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something succeeded or replaced by something else.
The new monument in the park is more beautiful than its predecessor.
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Archaic. an ancestor; forefather.
noun
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a person who precedes another, as in an office
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something that precedes something else
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an ancestor; forefather
Etymology
Origin of predecessor
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; see de-, cede)
Explanation
A predecessor is something that came before the current version. The person you replaced at work is your predecessor, just like Pac Man is the predecessor of modern video games. If you break the word predecessor down to its Latin roots, you get pre, meaning "beforehand," and decessor, which means "retiring officer." So that's how we get to our definition of "someone who has held an office or position before the present holder." But predecessors aren't just found in the business world: these days predecessors include our ancestors, earlier car models, and all kinds of other forerunners.
Vocabulary lists containing predecessor
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Power Prefix: pre-
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Persepolis
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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.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has said he will sue DNA testing firm Chrome Holding following a probe on Thursday, alleging its predecessor company 23andMe failed to protect sensitive customer data.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Phillips, who was Talley’s predecessor as Collins’ chief of staff, is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he hired his girlfriend for a no-show job and otherwise misused official funds.
From Slate • May 28, 2026
In fact, KoKo is the main attraction in several of the set’s earliest shorts made at Fleischer Studios’ predecessor, Inkwell Studios.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
Leo's predecessor Pope Francis spoke extensively on the subject, calling for AI to be regulated and warning that it could exacerbate inequalities.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
In 1865, nine years after Sikhdar’s computations had been confirmed, Waugh bestowed the name Mount Everest on Peak XV, in honor of Sir George Everest, his predecessor as surveyor general.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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.
