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

In rapid succession, Donald Trump is filling his Cabinet with former television personalities.

From Salon

It is being seen as an attempt to end the family succession phenomenon engineered by the Bongo family, which maintained a 55-year dynasty.

From BBC

The WRU is culpable and questions surround whether there is any credible succession planning.

From BBC

Since his star began to rise with Trump, after he dropped out of the presidential race in August and threw his support to the Republican, Kennedy has made a succession of pronouncements about his plans.

From Science Magazine

"Microbes are the pioneers colonizing this kind of environment and preparing the ground for the next succession of life," Wagner said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cycle
• progression
• series
• string