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
His predecessor, Robert Devlin, had filed criminal charges against Brian North, a state trooper who fatally shot a carjacker armed with a knife as the man sat in a locked car at the end of a high-speed chase on I-95.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
This comes after the Superblast 2 actually added weight compared to its predecessor.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Like its predecessor, Pit Stop will offer a full liquor bar, cold beer and an arsenal of TVs.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
After all, several of his most immediate predecessors left Wolves feeling that promises made on transfers had not been realised.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
This comes after the Superblast 2 actually added weight compared to its predecessor.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Like its predecessor, Pit Stop will offer a full liquor bar, cold beer and an arsenal of TVs.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
After all, several of his most immediate predecessors left Wolves feeling that promises made on transfers had not been realised.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
