Predecessors: meaning, definitions and examples

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predecessors

 

[ ˈprɛdɪˌsɛsərz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in history

A person who held a job or position before someone else, or before the present holder.

Synonyms

ancestor, antecedent, forerunner

Examples of usage

  • He was appointed as the successor to his predecessor.
  • The company's new CEO aims to build upon the work of her predecessors.
Context #2 | Noun

in family relations

A person from whom another is directly descended, such as a grandparent.

Synonyms

ancestor, forebear, forefather

Examples of usage

  • My great-grandfather is my predecessor in the family tree.
  • She inherited the antique clock from her predecessor.

Translations

Translations of the word "predecessors" in other languages:

🇵🇹 predecessores

🇮🇳 पूर्ववर्तियों

🇩🇪 Vorgänger

🇮🇩 pendahulu

🇺🇦 попередники

🇵🇱 poprzednicy

🇯🇵 前任者

🇫🇷 prédécesseurs

🇪🇸 predecesores

🇹🇷 öncüller

🇰🇷 전임자들

🇸🇦 الأسلاف

🇨🇿 předchůdci

🇸🇰 predchodcovia

🇨🇳 前任者

🇸🇮 predhodniki

🇮🇸 forverar

🇰🇿 бұрынғылар

🇬🇪 წინამორბედები

🇦🇿 sələflər

🇲🇽 predecesores

Word origin

The word 'predecessors' originated from the combination of the Latin prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the word 'decessor' which comes from the Latin 'decessor' meaning 'retiring officer'. The term has been used since the 15th century to refer to someone who held a position before another. Over time, it has also come to be used in genealogy to refer to ancestors or those from whom one is descended.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,334 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.