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′

Derived Forms

• sucˈcessoral, adjective

Other Words From

• suc·cessor·al 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

Abe’s sudden decision to stand down was a shock, but his successor is unlikely to be a disrupter, says Jesper Koll, a Japan-based economist and senior adviser for WisdomTree Investments.

From Fortune

The new Apple Watch lineup will include a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5 and a replacement for the Series 3 that will compete with lower-cost fitness devices such as those from Fitbit Inc.

From Fortune

Abe said he would stay on until leaders of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party elect a successor.

From Fortune

His successor, Nicolás Maduro, has essentially held Chavez’s course.

From Freakonomics

I mean, it still — it would have landed on maybe my successors.

From Freakonomics

In addition to visiting the tomb of John Paul, who died of natural causes in 2005, Agca asked to see his successor, Pope Francis.

From The Daily Beast

Capaldi said the nature of the character—a time-travelling alien—meant his successor could take any form.

From The Daily Beast

Whether its successor, IPRA, is any different, is difficult if not impossible to tell.

From The Daily Beast

Russians know they could do worse than Putin as president, and the West should keep in mind just how bad a successor might be.

From The Daily Beast

And he was said to be urging Obama to appoint her as his successor.

From The Daily Beast

Thereon the major-general took on himself to nominate Prince Eugne as Murat's successor.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the successor of Dr. Franklin as editor, and entered upon the business in 1763.

From Project Gutenberg

In the face of such public feeling Massna found nothing for it but to demand a successor and throw up his command.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be a forerunner or successor, the cause or consequence, or a contemporaneous fact, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Luis Flores had already resigned public office, and Llorente was, at this time, his successor in the presidency of the Council.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• replacement