succession

[suhk-sesh-uhn]

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.

succession

/ 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

succession

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of succession¹

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” ( succeed ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of succession¹

C14: from Latin successio, from succēdere to _succeed

Synonym Study

See series.

Example Sentences

But uncertainty surrounds the royal succession, with no public announcement of an heir to the current king -- among his seven children, four have been officially disowned.

Read more on Barron's

The directive designates Turks as the “original” people of modern-day Turkey, which has been inhabited by successions of people throughout history—including Hurrians, Greeks, Armenians, Persians and Kurds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If both of these enormous fault systems were to rupture in close succession, it would redefine the seismic threat facing the entire western United States.

Read more on Science Daily

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Read more on BBC

Andrew could also be expelled from his place in the line of succession to the throne, where he is currently eighth in line.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cycle 
• progression 
• series 
• string