Final answer:
The meaning of predecessor is 'one who goes before another in time,' referring to an entity that existed before another in a sequence, such as a former leader or an earlier model of a product.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of predecessor is option A: one who goes before another in time. The term predecessor refers to a person, position, or thing that has come before another. In contrast, the term 'precede' means to come before something else, which aligns with the concept of a predecessor. An easy way to remember this is to think about a previous ruler or president; they would be the predecessor to the current one. It's important to note that proceed is not synonymous with predecessor; 'proceed' means to move or go forward as in a process or action.