DictionaryaccedeTaking office
verb

accede

Take up a position of power or authority.

The princess accedes to the throne after her father's death.

Etymology

Latin ad- and cedere combine the ideas of moving toward or coming to. In this use, what someone comes to is a position of authority, especially a throne or other high office.

More examples

  • He acceded to office during a difficult transition.
  • The ceremony marks her acceding to royal authority.
  • The new monarch will accede before the coronation occurs.

Forms

accede · accedes · acceded · acceding

Similar words

succeed
Emphasizes replacing a previous holder of the position.
ascend
With throne, uses the image of moving upward.