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
This breaks from tradition, as many of Pope Francis' predecessors have been buried inside the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, Reuters reported.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
For Catholics who saw his predecessors’ stress on inalterable absolutes as a weakness, not a strength, his recognition of social change and his willingness to foster progress in the Church came just in time.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
He was elected pope in 2013 after the almost unprecedented retirement of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example.
—Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predecessor
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Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
For Catholics who saw his predecessors’ stress on inalterable absolutes as a weakness, not a strength, his recognition of social change and his willingness to foster progress in the Church came just in time.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
He was elected pope in 2013 after the almost unprecedented retirement of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example.
—Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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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