forerunner

noun

fore·​run·​ner ˈfȯr-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce forerunner (audio)
1
: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another: such as
a
: a premonitory sign or symptom
b
: a skier who runs the course before the start of a race
2
Choose the Right Synonym for forerunner

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 forerunner in a Sentence

a simple machine that was the forerunner of today's computers I had that strange feeling that's the forerunner of a cold.
Recent Examples on the Web
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In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons. Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025 Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008. Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 There's no dearth of Christmas stories and images preserved in the American-Statesman archives, which go back 153 years, when the newspaper's forerunner was called the Democratic Statesman. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024 When the 40-year-old took to the Birds of Prey course Wednesday as a forerunner on the first day of downhill training, everything felt right in her world. The Vail Daily, The Denver Post, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for forerunner

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forerunner was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Forerunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forerunner. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

forerunner

noun
fore·​run·​ner -ˌrən-ər How to pronounce forerunner (audio)
1
: one going or sent before to give notice of the approach of others : harbinger
2

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