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
Lately, it's also become politically charged, with President Donald Trump blaming his predecessor for their lengthy stay.
—
Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Earlier this week, Intel announced Tan was filling the role left vacant when the board ousted his predecessor, Pat Gelsinger.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2025
His predecessor, former President Biden, attended all of the dinners during his four-year term.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
Former mayor Tony Kranz, who gave the last two State of the City addresses, expanded on the policy of his predecessor — former Mayor Catherine Blakespear — of pre-recording the main speech.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
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Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Earlier this week, Intel announced Tan was filling the role left vacant when the board ousted his predecessor, Pat Gelsinger.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2025
His predecessor, former President Biden, attended all of the dinners during his four-year term.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
Former mayor Tony Kranz, who gave the last two State of the City addresses, expanded on the policy of his predecessor — former Mayor Catherine Blakespear — of pre-recording the main speech.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 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 19 Mar. 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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