Precursor
A person or thing that comes before something else and signals or leads to that later development; a forerunner.
nounPrecursor
A person or thing that comes before something else and signals or leads to that later development; a forerunner.
nounImagine This
Imagine a lone scout ahead of a marching army. The scout's footprints are the precursor, signaling that the rest of the army will soon advance.
Sounds Like
PREE-kur-sor
Looks Like
pre-cursor (a runner before), visually suggesting 'before + runner'
Remember This
Precursor literally implies something that comes before and foreshadows what follows; related words include 'predecessor' and 'harbinger'.
Other Forms
Connect With
forerunner, harbinger, foreshadow, omen, antecedent, predecessor
Note
Use 'precursor to' or 'precursor of' to indicate what leads to a future development. Do not confuse with 'predecessor,' which refers to a person who came before, often in a position or office.