succession

American  

[suhk-sesh-uhn] / səkˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

successions plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• successions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

succession successions

Even when both fell in quick succession, Root five short of twin tons, Ben Foakes looked set to get them over the line.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Under South Carolina law, the vacancy will be filled through the state’s succession process until a special election can be held.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

Catherine Wygant Fossett, executive director of the Institute for Family-Owned Business, said founders need to consider succession when they start their business and not wait until they’re ready to retire.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

Without clear succession planning, Xi also risks the fate that befell Stalin and Mao, whose deaths in office unleashed struggles for power that ended up unraveling their political visions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

Indignation, rage, indecision, agitation and much more crossed his face in rapid succession.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

It’s a lot of data to hold all at once, but the author is enthusiastic and generous with recommendations, along with her favorite tried-and-proven successions.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 17, 2023

The tightening of the family's grip on its empire also comes amid a wave of high-profile successions in other fashion companies in Europe.

From Reuters ● Jan. 11, 2023

My research looks at successions in family businesses – specifically, how knowledge should be passed on during this process.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2021

For decades, CDU-chairman successions have been the stuff of backroom deals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2018

Somewhere there was an actual arsenal, but it was closed off behind successions of sealed mesarthium doors, and anyway, Minya thought knives appropriate tools for butchery.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• cycle
• progression
• series
• string