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
Howell’s predecessor as chief, Bob Long, would ask staff how to attach a file to an email before his retirement in 2023, Allen says.
—
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In 2020, a Black Lives Matter mob had set fire to the condominium complex of Wilson’s predecessor, former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, despite his attempts to appease the movement’s demands.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Holland’s predecessor Rob Blake passed on an extension.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Nathan Chen, Malinin’s quad royalty predecessor who landed five quad jumps to win the 2022 Olympics, was training in the quad axel ahead of the Beijing Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
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Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In 2020, a Black Lives Matter mob had set fire to the condominium complex of Wilson’s predecessor, former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, despite his attempts to appease the movement’s demands.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Holland’s predecessor Rob Blake passed on an extension.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Nathan Chen, Malinin’s quad royalty predecessor who landed five quad jumps to win the 2022 Olympics, was training in the quad axel ahead of the Beijing Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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