noun
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a person or thing that follows, esp a person who succeeds another in an office
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logic the element related to a given element by a serial ordering, esp the natural number next larger to a given one. The successor of n is n + 1, usually written Sn or n′
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of successor
1250–1300; < Latin, equivalent to succed-, variant stem of succēdere to succeed + -tor -tor, with dt > ss; replacing Middle English successour < Anglo-French < Latin, as above
Explanation
If you are successor to the throne, that means you're next in line when the current royal has to step down. The successor takes over when someone gives up a position or title or when something becomes outdated. The noun successor was first used in the 13th century to mean "one who comes after." It's often used in reference to a royal court, where the successor is usually the king's eldest son. If something happens to the U.S. president, the vice president is the designated successor and will assume the position of head of government. It seems like every day there's a new and improved computer, a successor that replaces an earlier model.
Vocabulary lists containing successor
The Giver
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"The Hill We Climb," by Amanda Gorman
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The City of Ember
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now, at 25, she says Florescence is a natural successor, but "definitely feels a lot more healed".
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Obama's successor, Republican Donald Trump, reversed that decision.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
In terms of Tonkin’s potential successor, Macquarie notes that both Northern Star’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer have significant experience and have been with the miner for an extended period of time.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
The richest old man in Omaha and his handpicked successor are not predicting a crash.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
In the late-seventeenth century, the modes finally gave way to their successor: keys.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
