succession

[ suhk-sesh-uhn ]

noun

1. the coming of one person or thing after another in order, sequence, or in the course of events:

   many troubles in succession.

2. a number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence.
3. the right, act, or process, by which one person succeeds to the office, rank, estate, or the like, of another.
4. the order or line of those entitled to succeed one another.
5. the descent or transmission of a throne, dignity, estate, or the like.
6. Also called ecological succession. Ecology. the progressive replacement of one community by another until a climax community is established.

succession

/ səkˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of one person or thing following another
2. a number of people or things following one another in order
3. the act, process, or right by which one person succeeds to the office, etc, of another
4. the order that determines how one person or thing follows another
5. a line of descent to a title, etc
6. ecology the sum of the changes in the composition of a community that occur during its development towards a stable climax community
7. in succession
   in a manner such that one thing is followed uninterruptedly by another

succession

/ sək-sĕsh′ən /

1. The gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area, involving a series of orderly changes, especially in the dominant vegetation. Succession is usually initiated by a significant disturbance of an existing community. Each succeeding community modifies the physical environment, as by introducing shade or changing the fertility or acidity of the soil, creating new conditions that benefit certain species and inhibit others until a climax community is established.
2. ◆ The sequential development of plant and animal communities in an area in which no topsoil exists, as on a new lava flow, is called primary succession.
3. ◆ The development of such communities in an area that has been disturbed but still retains its topsoil, as in a burned-over area, is called secondary succession.
4. See more at climax community

Derived Forms

• sucˈcessionally, adverb
• sucˈcessional, adjective

Other Words From

• suc·cession·al adjective
• suc·cession·al·ly adverb
• nonsuc·cession noun
• nonsuc·cession·al adjective
• nonsuc·cession·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of succession¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin successiōn- (stem of successiō ) “a following (someone) in office,” equivalent to success(us), past participle of succēdere “to succeed” ( succeed ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of succession¹

C14: from Latin successio, from succēdere to succeed

Synonym Study

See series.

Example Sentences

Some of the biggest names in popular culture and politics, from Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, have remembered Quincy Jones in a succession of personal tributes.

From BBC

“No one else has had that kind of influence,” says Jay Leno, who found himself at the center of a succession drama when he became Carson’s “Tonight Show” successor rather than David Letterman.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the second race in succession in which Verstappen and Norris clashed, with a completely different outcome to a very similar - but not identical - move.

From BBC

Industrial-scale businesses will surely rebound, but the rapid succession of ruinous hurricanes may well discourage family farms and small producers from rebuilding, abandoning their livelihoods for less vulnerable ventures.

From Salon

In a speech given in Beirut this summer, Safieddine described how Hezbollah viewed its leadership succession.

From BBC

Related Words

• cycle
• progression
• series
• string