precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌkər- 

1

a

: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another

b

: predecessor

2

: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed

precursory

pri-ˈkərs-rē 

-ˈkər-sə-

adjective

Did you know?

Precursor Has Latin Roots

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

• angel
• foregoer
• forerunner
• harbinger
• herald
• outrider

Choose the Right Synonym for precursor

forerunner, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another.

forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage.

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

Secondly, while self-injury isn’t necessarily a suicide attempt, data suggests the former can sometimes be a precursor to suicidality. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

Could Titan’s atmosphere be the key to the sort of rich chemistry that evolves into molecules that qualify as precursors of life? —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

The primitive streak—a developmental precursor of the spine—shows up. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

At the heart of Zelensky’s plan is Ukraine’s desire for an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which would be a precursor to full NATO membership, but something that Ukraine’s allies have been cool on with the country still at war with Russia. —Lauren Kent, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌkər- 

1

: predecessor

2

: a substance or cell from which another substance or cell is formed

Medical Definition

precursor

noun

pre·​cur·​sor pri-ˈkər-sər  ˈprē-ˌ 

1

: one that precedes and indicates the onset of another

angina may be the precursor of a second infarction

2

: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed especially by natural processes