successor

[suhk-ses-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that succeeds or follows.

2. a person who succeeds another in an office, position, or the like.

successor

/ səkˈsɛsə /

noun

1. a person or thing that follows, esp a person who succeeds another in an office

2. 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

• successoral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of successor¹

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

Example Sentences

But under Powell’s successor, 79% of respondents said, the Fed would be either “not independent” or “partially independent,” meaning the government would exercise moderate to significant influence on monetary policy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Having initially held positive discussions with the former Aston Villa boss, Rangers are left looking elsewhere for a successor to the sacked Russell Martin.

Read more on BBC

The author delivers fascinating details of working with Ms. Brown and her successor, David Remnick, both of whom came to value Ms. Orlean and her unpredictable ideas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The scene further cements Julian as the successor to his grandfather’s legacy and leaves the possibility open for his return as a villain in a future “Tron” installment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Jimmy Kimmel suspension underscores the enormous challenges facing the next leader of Walt Disney Co. as the company searches for a successor to Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• replacement