A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A predecessor is someone who came before another person in a job or position. It can also refer to an ancestor.

• John was the predecessor of Sarah as CEO of the company.
• Queen Elizabeth II is the predecessor of King Charles III.
• My great-grandfather is my predecessor in our family tree.

These examples show how a predecessor is someone who held a position or existed before someone else. In the first example, John was the CEO before Sarah. In the second example, Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch before King Charles III. In the third example, the great-grandfather is an ancestor who came before the current family member.