forerunner
noun
fore·run·ner ˈfȯr-ˌrə-nər 
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
: predecessor, ancestor
Synonyms
- angel
- foregoer
- harbinger
- herald
- outrider
- precursor
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 But in 1949 the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), forerunner of the Federal Aviation Administration, eliminated spin training from the curricula for private and commercial pilots. 
Kate Murphy, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 In response, the California Real Estate Assn., the forerunner of today’s California Assn. Liam Dillonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Under his rule, the Cheka, the forerunner of the KGB, was responsible for a wave of terror. Vanessa Gera, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2022 The forerunner of Allis-Chalmers was the Edward P. Allis Co., Reliance Works, which was on First and Florida and was the biggest employer in Milwaukee for a time, Gurda said. Bob Dohr, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 As background, Pinto talks about his own first encounter with the forerunner that helped inspire his brainchild. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2022 Dorbian: In a way, Cybin was a forerunner with this current work model. Iris Dorbian, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 In 1921, Sanger founded the forerunner to Planned Parenthood. Julie Washington, cleveland, 11 July 2022 The crest was a forerunner to the Stars and Stripes flag. Sylvia Hui, USA TODAY, 11 June 2022 See More
Kate Murphy, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 In response, the California Real Estate Assn., the forerunner of today’s California Assn. Liam Dillonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Under his rule, the Cheka, the forerunner of the KGB, was responsible for a wave of terror. Vanessa Gera, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2022 The forerunner of Allis-Chalmers was the Edward P. Allis Co., Reliance Works, which was on First and Florida and was the biggest employer in Milwaukee for a time, Gurda said. Bob Dohr, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 As background, Pinto talks about his own first encounter with the forerunner that helped inspire his brainchild. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2022 Dorbian: In a way, Cybin was a forerunner with this current work model. Iris Dorbian, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 In 1921, Sanger founded the forerunner to Planned Parenthood. Julie Washington, cleveland, 11 July 2022 The crest was a forerunner to the Stars and Stripes flag. Sylvia Hui, USA TODAY, 11 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
forerunner
noun
fore·run·ner ˈfȯr-ˌrə-nər
: someone or something that comes before especially as a sign of the coming of another
forerunner
noun
1
as in precursor
one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another the return of the swallows is traditionally regarded as a forerunner of spring Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- precursor
- harbinger
- herald
- sign
- angel
- symptom
- outrider
- foregoer
- foretaste
- messenger
- foreshadowing
- prefiguring
- proclaimer
- announcer
- portent
- presage
- runner
- advertiser
- forewarning
- foreshadower
- courier
- omen
- bellwether
- crier
- foreboder
- auspice
- boding
- foreboding
- augury
- blazoner
- mark
2
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed enjoyed the demonstration of the simple hand loom that was the forerunner of today's computer-controlled looms Synonyms & Similar Words
- precursor
- ancestor
- prototype
- predecessor
- granddaddy
- original
- originator
- antecedent
- grandaddy
- archetype
- model
- daddy
- foregoer
- mother
- sire
- father
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- descendant
- descendent
- offshoot
- outgrowth
- derivative
- by-product
- son
- daughter
- spin-off
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of forerunner are harbinger, herald, and precursor. While all these words 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
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
The synonyms precursor and forerunner are sometimes interchangeable, but 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