Supersede Meaning
/ˌsuːpəˈsiːd/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo take the place of.
verbTo displace in favor of itself.
Sentence Examples
Malians need to supersede their ethnic fault lines.
The new rules will supersede the old ones.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new software will ____ the old system because it is more efficient.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new safety regulations will ____ the old ones starting from the first of next month for everyone.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French superseder (“postpone, defer”), from Latin supersedēre, from super (“over”) + sedēre (“to sit”). The meaning “to replace” is from 1642, probably by association with unrelated precede – note that c instead of s (from cēdere (“to yield”), not sedēre (“to sit”)). As a result, supercede is a common misspelling – see therein for further discussion. Doublet of surcease.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Then one deep love doth supersede
All other, when her ardent gaze
Roves from the living brother’s face,
And rests upon the Life indeed."
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXII”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 51:
"A new marshalling yard at Perth will supersede existing yards, and will secure greater economy and efficiency in working."
— 1957 April 26, “Modernisation Schemes in Scotland”, in Railway Magazine, page 222:
"In the early days troubles were experienced with oscillation from the rod drive and with the transformers, but were overcome later, and these machines performed useful service until superseded by more modern locomotives less costly in maintenance."
— 1960 December, Cecil J. Allen, “Operating a mountain main line: the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 743:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new software will ____ the old system because it is more efficient.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new safety regulations will ____ the old ones starting from the first of next month for everyone.