What does supersede mean?
To supersede is to replace an earlier rule, document, system, or practice with something newer or more authoritative. The word is especially common in legal, governmental, technical, and editorial contexts, where it can mean that an older provision or publication has been made ineffective by a later one. It also has a broader meaning of taking the place of a person or previous model, usually because the replacement is considered more advanced or suitable. “The new policy supersedes the previous guidelines” is a typical use. Supersede differs from surpass: superseding concerns replacement and a shift in status, while surpassing concerns going beyond something in degree or achievement. Its Latin origin, from supersedere meaning “to sit above,” reflects its long history of describing superior authority.
verbTo replace something with something newer, more authoritative, or more suitable, especially an earlier document, policy, version, or system. In legal and technical contexts, it often means to make an earlier rule or publication no longer effective.
- To take the place of something older or no longer valid, especially a law, policy, document, system, or version.
- To replace someone in a position or role with a person or thing regarded as more suitable or more advanced.
"The new regulation supersedes the previous guidance issued by the department."
"The revised handbook supersedes all earlier editions."
"The new model superseded the previous design and quickly became the industry standard."
From the Latin supersedere, literally “to sit above,” a word that began by describing authority before it came to mean replacing what came before.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does supersede come from?
The English word comes from Latin supersedere, a compound of super- meaning “above” and sedere meaning “to sit.” In Latin it originally had meanings such as “to sit above” and “to preside over,” and by the postclassical period it was used for replacing or superseding. English borrowed the word in the 17th century for the sense of replacing an earlier person, law, or authority.
Related word forms
How supersede is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in legal, governmental, technical, and publishing contexts. It usually implies a change in authority or relevance rather than merely a physical displacement.
Easily confused with supersede
To supersede something is to replace it with a newer or more authoritative version, whereas to surpass it is to exceed it in quality, amount, or achievement.