What do you call someone or something that came before another?

The term used to describe someone or something that came before another is "predecessor." In various contexts, such as history, business, or academics, a predecessor refers to an individual or entity that precedes another, often in a particular position, role, or timeline. For instance, in a corporate setting, the predecessor might be the individual who held a management position before the current manager.

Understanding the term 'predecessor' is important as it highlights the significance of prior influences and contributions that shape the present scenario or the current individual’s role. Recognizing predecessors helps in understanding continuity and change within organizations, relationships, and historical events.

In contrast, terms like "successor" refer to someone who follows another in a role, "contemporary" denotes someone existing or occurring at the same time, and "follower" typically implies someone who comes after in a more casual sense, such as in social media or general hierarchy. Each of these terms has distinct meanings and applications, making it essential to use 'predecessor' when indicating something or someone that came before.