A successor is a person or thing that comes after another in a job, position, or series.
From Latin 'successor' meaning 'one who follows', from 'succedere' (to follow after). It was especially used for heirs and next rulers.
Every time a new phone model comes out, it’s the 'successor' to the old one—same story as a prince succeeding a king. The word always hints at a chain: no successor without a predecessor.
Historically, successors in political, religious, and corporate roles were often presumed to be male, reflecting gendered access to power. Language around successors frequently defaulted to male pronouns and male lineage.
Use gender-neutral language (e.g., "they" or "the successor") unless a specific person’s gender is known and relevant, and avoid assuming a male successor in examples.
["next holder of the role","next in the position","replacement","follow-on leader"]
When discussing notable successions, include cases where women became successors in roles traditionally held by men, marking these as shifts in gender norms.
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