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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Related Words

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” ( succeed ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

With these patterns occurring so close in succession, the risk/reward scenario for a long entry here makes sense.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Kimi Antonelli took his second win in succession and the lead of the world championship after being gifted victory in the Japanese Grand Prix by a safety-car period.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Ahold Delhaize said Fleeman, who has been a member of its management board since 2023, will leave at the end of June, adding that it will provide updates on the succession process as appropriate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden addressed Disney employees during a town hall Wednesday, as the heavily-scrutinized CEO succession process comes to a close.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

I had performed two rather substantial pieces of sympathy in quick succession and was feeling rather thickheaded because of it.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• cycle
• progression
• series
• string