Predecessor/ˈpredəsesər/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Time or Order Use 'predecessor' to denote a sequence of people or things. The iPhone 8 is the predecessor of the iPhone X. Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Positive Being a predecessor does not imply superiority; it's about timing. Even as a predecessor, the old system had many flaws. Pro Tip 3/3Job Succession Use it for someone who held a job before the current person. She visited her predecessor to discuss the responsibilities of the role.