What does succession mean?
Succession means the order or sequence in which people, events, or things follow one another, as in a succession of leaders, performances, or generations. It can also mean the act of following someone in an important position, especially a monarch, or the transfer of property, title, or authority to a successor. The ordinary sense of succession emphasizes continuity and order rather than a simple count of separate events. For example, a succession of reforms can describe a long series of changes in which each new measure develops or responds to the previous one. In historical and legal contexts, succession has a more specific meaning involving inheritance and the movement of rights or responsibilities from one person to another. Because it links consecutive events or holders of a position, the word often carries connotations of development, persistence, and orderly change.
A sequence of people, events, or things following one another in a particular order.
"The report traces a succession of developments that changed the industry."
This is the most common modern sense. It can describe either a single ordered series or the general process of following one another.
The right, status, or process of following another person in a role, especially a monarch or title-holder.
"The law established rules for the succession to the throne."
This sense is especially common in historical, legal, and constitutional language.
The transfer of property, title, or authority to a successor.
"The court ruled that the succession of the estate was invalid."
This use is common in legal and financial contexts, particularly in relation to inheritance.
The plural is relatively uncommon. It can refer to separate or successive instances of a process, such as multiple changes in leadership, but the word is usually singular when discussing the general concept or a single transfer.
"The company experienced several successions of senior management."
A succession is more than a list: it can describe both the order of things and the transfer of authority from one person to the next.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does succession come from?
Succession comes from the Latin successio, meaning a following or succession, and ultimately from succedere, meaning to follow or go after. In English, the word was used both for an ordered sequence and for the transfer of a position or inheritance to the next person. Its relatives include succeed, successor, successive, and consecutive, all of which reflect the same basic idea of following or coming after.
How succession is actually used
In general usage, succession often has a neutral sense of an ordered sequence, though it can suggest repetition, continuity, or inevitability. In legal, historical, and constitutional contexts, it commonly refers to inheritance or the transfer of an office and its accompanying rights and duties.
Easily confused with succession
Consecutive describes things that follow one another without interruption, while succession can refer either to such a sequence or to inheriting a position or status.