Successor Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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successor
[səkˈsɛsər ]
Definitions
mathematics
A person or thing that succeeds another.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| successor |
Used in formal or professional settings to denote someone who follows another in a role, position, or office.
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| follower |
Refers to someone who follows another person, often in a social, political, or religious context. It does not necessarily imply taking over a role or position.
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| heir |
Typically used in a legal or familial context to denote someone who is designated to inherit a position, title, or property.
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| next in line |
Informal phrase used to indicate the person who is expected or designated to follow someone in sequence or order.
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Examples of usage
- The number or thing that comes after another in a series.
- In mathematics, the successor of a number is the next number after it.
computing
In computer science, the successor is a pointer or reference to the next node in a linked list or tree data structure.
Synonyms
next node, pointer.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| successor |
Use this word when referring to a person or entity that follows another in a position, office, or role.
|
| next node |
This term is common in computer science and data structures, particularly when describing elements in a linked list or tree.
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| pointer |
Also related to computer programming, this term refers to a variable that stores the address of another variable.
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Examples of usage
- The successor of a node points to the next node in the data structure.
general
Someone who follows or comes after another in a position, office, or title.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| successor |
Use this word when referring to a person who follows another in a position, office, or role.
|
| replacement |
This word is appropriate when talking about something or someone that takes the place of another.
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| subsequent |
Use this word when describing something that follows in time or order.
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Examples of usage
- The successor to the throne will be announced next week.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
History
- In ancient Rome, the term was often used to describe heirs who would inherit property or titles.
- Royal successions often influenced political stability, as seen in monarchies where the wrong heir could lead to conflict.
Business
- In corporate environments, succession planning is vital for leadership transitions to ensure smooth future operations.
- Successful companies often have structured plans for identifying and training successors for key roles.
Cultural References
- In literature, the theme of succession can be found in plays like 'Hamlet', where the rightful heir struggles with the consequences of succession.
- Movies often depict the challenges faced by successors, highlighting their journey and the weight of their legacy.
Psychology
- The concept of succession can impact one's self-identity; individuals often feel the pressure to live up to or redefine their predecessor's legacy.
- In family businesses, successors may experience a fear of not meeting the expectations set by the previous generation.
Origin of 'successor'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin word 'successor', meaning 'one who follows'.
- The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'after', indicating following someone in a position.
The word 'successor' originates from the Latin word 'succedere', which means 'to go after'. The concept of a successor has been present throughout history in various contexts, from monarchy to mathematics. The notion of succession is fundamental in understanding the order or sequence of things.
See also: successes, successful, successfully, succession, successive, successively, successors, unsuccess, unsuccessful, unsuccessfully.