Definition of PRECURSOR (original) (raw)
1
a
: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another
2
: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed
Did you know?
With its prefix pre-, meaning "before", a precursor is literally a "forerunner", and in fact forerunner first appeared as the translation of the Latin praecursor. But the two words function a little differently today. A forerunner may simply come before another thing, but a precursor generally paves the way for something. So, for example, the Office of Strategic Services in World War II was the immediate precursor of today's Central Intelligence Agency, while the blues music of the 1930s and 1940s was only one of the precursors of the rock and roll of today.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for precursor
the blockade was the forerunner of war
precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another.
18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics
harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event.
their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season
the herald of a new age in medicine
Examples of precursor in a Sentence
18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics a precursor of the modern eggplant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Poor sleep is associated with insulin resistance (cells do not respond to insulin to take in blood glucose for energy, causing blood sugar levels to rise), which may be the precursor to prediabetes (having blood sugar levels that are not quite high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes). —
Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024 The last time the Democratic Party faced this scale of electoral defeat was also the precursor to its greatest twenty-first-century success. —Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024 The Malay language was then supplanted by Cape Dutch, a precursor to Afrikaans. —H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Dec. 2024 The model proved to be enough of a success that five different iterations would be offered over the next three decades, as well as a compact spin-off called the Bronco II—itself a precursor for the Bronco Sport—that was sold between 1984 and 1990. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precursor 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English precursoure, from Latin praecursor, from praecurrere to run before, from prae- pre- + currere to run — more at current entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of precursor was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near precursor
Cite this Entry
“Precursor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precursor. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 20 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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