predecessor

[pred-uh-ses-er, pred-uh-ses-er, 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 country faces EU pressure to curb its deficit and debt, and it was the fight over cost-cutting measures that toppled Lecornu's two predecessors.

Read more on Barron's

“The Impossible Fortune,” like its series predecessors, is an exhilarating work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like his predecessors, Elhedery wants to sharpen HSBC’s focus on the U.K. and Asia—where the bank makes most of its profit—with a particular focus on Hong Kong.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

New governments reviewing defense policies set by their predecessors isn’t unusual, Marles said, noting the U.K. had done the same thing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Maduro inherited a stacked Supreme Court from his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, that has systematically nullified opposition legislation.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• ancestor 
• forebear