succession
suhk-SEHSH-uhn
Succession (noun) means a number of things or people following one after another in order. Example: “The film showed a succession of short scenes, each set in a different city.”
noun
1
A number of things or people following one after another in order.
"The film showed a succession of short scenes, each set in a different city."
"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.
"Her eldest son's succession to the family estate was never in doubt."
"Laws of succession decide who takes over the business when the owner dies."
"The prince is next in line of succession to the throne."
How to use succession
Learner’s notesIn 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
Common pairings
in succession
line of succession
a succession of
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Word forms
- Plural
- successions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film showed a _____ of short scenes, each set in a different city.
Etymology
From Old French succession, from Latin successio.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for succession
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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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