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View synonyms for

succession

[ suhk-sesh-uhn ]

noun

  1. the coming of one person or thing after another in order, sequence, or in the course of events:

    many troubles in succession.

  2. a number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence.
  3. the right, act, or process, by which one person succeeds to the office, rank, estate, or the like, of another.
  4. the order or line of those entitled to succeed one another.
  5. the descent or transmission of a throne, dignity, estate, or the like.
  6. Also called ecological succession. Ecology. the progressive replacement of one community by another until a climax community is established.


succession

/ əˈɛʃə /

noun

  1. the act or an instance of one person or thing following another
  2. a number of people or things following one another in order
  3. the act, process, or right by which one person succeeds to the office, etc, of another
  4. the order that determines how one person or thing follows another
  5. a line of descent to a title, etc
  6. ecology the sum of the changes in the composition of a community that occur during its development towards a stable climax community
  7. in succession
    in a manner such that one thing is followed uninterruptedly by another
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

succession

  1. The gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area, involving a series of orderly changes, especially in the dominant vegetation. Succession is usually initiated by a significant disturbance of an existing community. Each succeeding community modifies the physical environment, as by introducing shade or changing the fertility or acidity of the soil, creating new conditions that benefit certain species and inhibit others until a climax community is established.
  2. ◆ The sequential development of plant and animal communities in an area in which no topsoil exists, as on a new lava flow, is called primary succession.
  3. ◆ The development of such communities in an area that has been disturbed but still retains its topsoil, as in a burned-over area, is called secondary succession.
  4. See more at climax community
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Derived Forms

  • ܳˈDzԲ, adverb
  • ܳˈDzԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ܳ·sDz· adjective
  • ܳ·sDz··ly adverb
  • ԴDzȴܳ·sDz noun
  • nonܳ·sDz· adjective
  • nonܳ·sDz··ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of succession1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin ܳō- (stem of ܳō ) “a following (someone) in office,” equivalent to success(us), past participle of ܳŧ “to succeed” ( succeed ) + -ō- -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of succession1

C14: from Latin successio, from ܳŧ to succeed
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Synonym Study

See series.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Moments later, an officer is heard saying, “OK, she racked it,” followed almost immediately by the sound of at least six gunshots fired in quick succession.

From

Prince Louis, the King's grandson, is fourth in line in succession to the throne.

From

But three defeats in succession for the Blades recently has opened up a five-point gap between themselves and the top two.

From

The 33-year-old Englishman recovered to win the next six frames in succession, making a 136 break in the eighth to add to three earlier half-centuries.

From

Extra props for wearing a succession of intricate costumes — including a sort of wind-tunnel inner-tube look — in the sweltering desert heat.

From

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successfulsuccession of crops