predecessor
noun
pre·de·ces·sor
ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər 
ˈprē-;
ˌpre-də-ˈse-,
ˌprē-
1
: one that precedes
especially
: a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
2
archaic
: ancestor
Examples of predecessor in a Sentence
Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were.
the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard
Recent Examples on the Web
Called Ultra-Low Inductance Smart (ULIS) power module, the efficient innovation is capable of achieving five times greater energy density than predecessor designs in a smaller package.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Many members of the Venezuelan opposition, Straka said, have long relished calling out government supporters for treating Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, as a messiah, but they can be faulted for believing, with similar fervor, that American salvation is coming.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
For instance, the show, like its predecessor, is set in the epicenter of a dying business in a fading midsize industrial city.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Aaron Boone has been at the helm for the Yankees since the 2018 season, after his predecessor, Joe Girardi, was let go following a seven-game loss to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Many members of the Venezuelan opposition, Straka said, have long relished calling out government supporters for treating Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, as a messiah, but they can be faulted for believing, with similar fervor, that American salvation is coming.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
For instance, the show, like its predecessor, is set in the epicenter of a dying business in a fading midsize industrial city.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Aaron Boone has been at the helm for the Yankees since the 2018 season, after his predecessor, Joe Girardi, was let go following a seven-game loss to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predecessor. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predecessor
noun
pre·de·ces·sor
ˈpred-ə-ˌses-ər
ˈprēd-
ˈprēd-
: one that precedes
especially
: a person who has held a position or office before another
Etymology
Middle English predecessour "predecessor," from early French predecesseur (same meaning), from Latin praedecessor "one that goes before," from prae- "before, pre-," and decessor "retiring governor," from decedere "to depart," from de- "from" and cedere "to go, go away" — related to ancestor, concede
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