predecessor
noun
pre·de·ces·sor
ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər 
ˈprē-
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
And on Tuesday, the mayor rescinded a TikTok ban for city agencies put in place by his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams, as first reported by POLITICO.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Bondi's public embrace of the president, however, marked a sharp departure from her predecessors, who generally took pains to maintain an arm's-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026
Lamborghini took everything that had made its predecessor, the LP 5000 QV, so special and added new bodywork designed by none other than Horacio Pagani.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Simon has kept the show running like clockwork through one of its most surreal eras, filled with political pressures and changes in corporate control, as well as the surprise exit of her predecessor.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
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Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Bondi's public embrace of the president, however, marked a sharp departure from her predecessors, who generally took pains to maintain an arm's-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026
Lamborghini took everything that had made its predecessor, the LP 5000 QV, so special and added new bodywork designed by none other than Horacio Pagani.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Simon has kept the show running like clockwork through one of its most surreal eras, filled with political pressures and changes in corporate control, as well as the surprise exit of her predecessor.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Cite this Entry
“Predecessor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predecessor. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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