Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
precursor
noun
/prɪˈkɜːrsər/
Definition
A person or thing that comes before another of the same kind; a forerunner.
Examples
- The precursor to the modern smartphone was the simple mobile phone.
- Many scientific discoveries have precursors that laid the groundwork for future research.
- The baby is often considered a precursor to eventual adulthood.
Meaning
In general usage, a precursor indicates something that precedes and indicates the approach of another thing.
Synonyms
- forerunner
- predecessor
- harbinger
- antecedent
- progenitor