succession

American  

[suhk-sesh-uhn] / səkˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

1. the coming of one person or thing after another in order, sequence, or in the course of events.

   many troubles in succession.

2. a number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence.

3. the right, act, or process, by which one person succeeds to the office, rank, estate, or the like, of another.

4. the order or line of those entitled to succeed one another.

5. the descent or transmission of a throne, dignity, estate, or the like.

6. Also called ecological succession.  Ecology. the progressive replacement of one community by another until a climax community is established.

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succession British  

/ səkˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of one person or thing following another

2. a number of people or things following one another in order

3. the act, process, or right by which one person succeeds to the office, etc, of another

4. the order that determines how one person or thing follows another

5. a line of descent to a title, etc

6. ecology the sum of the changes in the composition of a community that occur during its development towards a stable climax community

7. in a manner such that one thing is followed uninterruptedly by another

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succession Scientific  

/ sək-sĕsh′ən /

1. The gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area, involving a series of orderly changes, especially in the dominant vegetation. Succession is usually initiated by a significant disturbance of an existing community. Each succeeding community modifies the physical environment, as by introducing shade or changing the fertility or acidity of the soil, creating new conditions that benefit certain species and inhibit others until a climax community is established.

2. ◆ The sequential development of plant and animal communities in an area in which no topsoil exists, as on a new lava flow, is called primary succession.

3. ◆ The development of such communities in an area that has been disturbed but still retains its topsoil, as in a burned-over area, is called secondary succession.

4. See more at climax community

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Synonym Usage

See series.

Other Word Forms

• nonsuccession
  noun
• nonsuccessional
  adjective
• nonsuccessionally
  adverb
• successional
  adjective
• successionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of succession

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin successiōn- (stem of successiō ) “a following (someone) in office,” equivalent to success(us), past participle of succēdere “to succeed” ( see succeed) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Use the word succession to describe things that follow one another, as well as the order in which they do so. The Vice President is first in line of succession to be the President and the Secretary of State is fourth. Sometimes when a leader dies, the one who rules after him is determined not by law as in the U.S. or blood as in a monarchy but by the dying leader himself. Dictators often groom one of their sons for succession. Figuratively, you can use succession to indicate that one thing after another has come and gone without taking hold. The storefront has been home to a succession of businesses, all of which have failed. Fashions come and go in quick succession.

Example Sentences

After hitting boundaries off seven balls in succession, he had one delivery to break Chris Gayle's record for the fastest IPL century but was caught at deep third attempting an upper cut.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Despite the delay to the initial delivery, the subsequent planes will arrive in quick succession, allowing the airline to return to its original schedule by November, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Those species often have more rigid dominance hierarchies and predictable succession systems.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

To encounter two in such close succession is a gift, in a time when many of us really need it.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Below them, a large circular opening had appeared in the largest building’s roof, and three hovercars rose up through the gap in quick succession, screaming toward the city.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• cycle
• progression
• series
• string