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DictionarysupersedeReplace
verb

supersede

soo-per-SEED/ˌsuːpərˈsiːd/

to take the place of something older or no longer effective

The new lamp supersedes the worn one, taking its place on the desk.

An old worn incandescent desk lamp set aside beside a new efficient lamp now illuminating the same desk, clear replacement role.
Etymology
superLatinabove, over
+sedeLatinto sit

The literal image is “sit on top of.” The replacement meaning developed through setting something aside or rendering it unnecessary: what supersedes an older thing takes its place.

In context

Andrew Huberman99:05
I'm going to push those things off the rank ordering chart of what gets served up into my dreams and I'm going to supersede that and decide what I would prefer to be dreaming about
Dr. Matt Walker: The Science of Dreams, Nightmares & Lucid Dreaming | Huberman Lab Guest Series

More examples

  • Digital records have largely superseded paper files in this office.
  • This revised schedule supersedes the one we sent yesterday.
  • More efficient engines are superseding older models.

Forms

supersede · supersedes · superseded · superseding

supersession noun — the replacement of something previously used

Similar words

replace
A broader term that does not imply age or ineffectiveness.
supplant
Often suggests displacing something established through competition or greater usefulness.