predecessor

noun C1

Meaning

A predecessor is an individual, entity, or concept that existed or held a particular position before another, often serving as a foundation or point of reference for subsequent developments, innovations, or roles within a given context.
💡 The term is frequently used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions of lineage, succession, and evolution, but may be misused when referring to contemporaneous entities rather than those that precede.

Example Sentences

The new manager improved many policies left by her predecessor .
The new manager improved sales more than her predecessor did .
The new manager improved the system inherited from her predecessor .
The new theory improves upon the ideas of its predecessor .

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