succession

noun

suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən How to pronounce succession (audio)
1
a
: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, title, or throne
b
: the right of a person or line to succeed
c
: the line having such a right
2
a
: the act or process of following in order : sequence
b(1)
: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both
(2)
: the act or process of a person's becoming beneficially entitled to a property or property interest of a deceased person
c
: the continuance of corporate personality
d
: unidirectional change in the composition of an ecosystem as the available competing organisms and especially the plants respond to and modify the environment
3
a
: a number of persons or things that follow each other in sequence
b
: a group, type, or series that succeeds or displaces another
successional
sək-ˈsesh-nəl How to pronounce succession (audio)
-ˈse-shə-nᵊl
adjective
successionally adverb

Examples of succession in a Sentence

As third in the line of succession, she would only become queen if her brothers both died or became ineligible.
Recent Examples on the Web As far as moves to replace a TV legend go, this botch-job elevated Sony to the level of NBC during its Johnny Carson succession debacle. The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024 After designing a succession of private homes in his early career, Yamamoto completed his first social housing project, in the coastal city of Kumamoto, in 1991. Oscar Holland, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 The Russian Federation has a constitutional system that makes provisions for an orderly succession: If Putin dies or is incapacitated in office, his powers will be temporarily assumed by the chairman of the government, a post currently held by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Emperor Nero’s maneuvered him into the line of succession. Alessandra Migliaccio, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 While many focus on upgrading the right guard and right tackle spots, the 49ers need a succession plan in place once Trent Williams is done at left tackle, presumably in the coming years. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 The declaration made her eldest son King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary, while their eldest son Christian took his father’s former Crown Prince title and the couple’s three younger children each moved up a spot in the line of succession. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Prince William's children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – are next in the line of succession, followed by Prince Harry and his children, Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2. What is Prince William’s last name? Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Because the State of the Union is traditionally delivered in the House chamber before the Vice President, a joint session of Congress, and cabinet members, all the members of the line of succession to the presidency are in attendance. Caroline Linton, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'succession.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin succession-, successio, from succedere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of succession was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near succession

Cite this Entry

“Succession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/succession. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

succession

noun
suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈsesh-ən How to pronounce succession (audio)
1
: the order, action, or right of succeeding to a throne, title, or property
2
a
: a repeated following of one person or thing after another
b
: a series of one-way changes in the composition of a biological community in which one group of plants or animals is replaced by a different group
successional
-ˈsesh-nəl How to pronounce succession (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
adjective

Legal Definition

succession

noun
suc·​ces·​sion sək-ˈse-shən How to pronounce succession (audio)
1
a
: the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, position, title, or throne
the sequence of succession to the presidency
b
: the right of a person or line of ancestry to succeed
c
: the line of ancestry having such a right
2
a
: the act or process of following in order
b
: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both
3
: the act or process by which a person becomes entitled to the property or property interest of a deceased person and especially an intestate : the transmission of the estate of a decedent to his or her heirs, legatees, or devisees
also : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities
used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana
intestate succession
: the transmission of property or property interests of a decedent as provided by statute as distinguished from the transfer in accordance with the decedent's will
also : the operation of such statutory provisions in transmitting intestate property
would take the property by intestate succession
in the civil law of Louisiana : property that is not disposed of by will but by operation of statute who presents himself to claim an intestate successionLouisiana Civil Code
testate succession
: the transmission of property in accordance with a valid will
vacant succession
in the civil law of Louisiana : an estate that has not been claimed, of which the heirs are unknown, or that has been renounced by all of the heirs
4
a
: the continuance of a corporation's status as a legal person
perpetual corporate succession
b
: the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another
documents…that all aim to prepare your company for its new owner's successionSaul Berkowitz
5
: the act or process by which one state takes over or follows upon another and becomes entitled to its rights and position in international law
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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