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noun C1 Advanced Common

succession

suhk-SEHSH-uhn

Succession (noun) means a number of things or people following one after another in order. Example: “A succession of storms battered the coast that winter.”

noun
1
A number of things or people following one after another in order.
"A succession of storms battered the coast that winter."
"She answered a succession of increasingly personal questions."
2
The process of inheriting a title, office, or property from a predecessor.
"The prince is next in line of succession to the throne."

How to use succession

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA series of things happening one after another, or the process of taking over a role or title.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with secession, which means a formal withdrawal from a group or country.

Easily confused with
secession
Common pairings
in succession line of succession a succession of

Word forms

successions plural

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Test yourself on “succession” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ of storms battered the coast that winter.

Etymology

From Old French succession, from Latin successio.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for succession

See all rhymes for succession →

Frequently asked questions

What does “succession” mean?

The word “succession” means a number of things or people following one after another in order. In plain terms, a series of things happening one after another, or the process of taking over a role or title.

How do you pronounce “succession”?

“Succession” is pronounced suhk-SEHSH-uhn (/səkˈsɛʃ.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “succession” in a sentence?

Here is “succession” used in a sentence: “A succession of storms battered the coast that winter.”

What part of speech is “succession”?

“Succession” is a noun.

Where does the word “succession” come from?

The word “succession” comes from Latin. From Old French succession, from Latin successio.

Is “succession” a common word?

“Succession” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “succession” have?

“Succession” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a number of things or people following one after another in order.

What is the difference between "succession" and "sequence"?

Both refer to things arranged one after another, but "sequence" stresses a fixed order in which each item logically follows the last, while "succession" stresses that items simply come one after another over time. "In quick succession" highlights closeness in time rather than logical order.

How is the phrase "in succession" used?

"In succession" means one after another without interruption, as in "three wins in succession." It emphasises that events happen consecutively, often close together in time.

What is the difference between "succession" and "successor"?

"Succession" is the process or sequence of one thing following another, including inheriting a title, office, or property. A "successor" is the person or thing that follows and takes the place of another, so succession is the process and a successor is the individual result.

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