supercession

Supercession refers to the act or process of replacing something or someone with something or someone else. This replacement often implies that the new entity is superior or more advanced than the one it displaces. The concept can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from technological advancements to legal principles and even biological evolution.

In technology, supercession is evident when newer models of devices, software, or machines render older versions obsolete. For instance, smartphones have largely superseded feature phones, and digital cameras have replaced film cameras. This process is driven by innovation, offering improved functionality, efficiency, or performance.

Legally, supercession can occur when a new law or statute replaces an older one. The new legislation may be intended to update, clarify, or completely alter the existing legal framework. Similarly, in a contractual context, a new agreement might supersede a previous one, making the terms of the later agreement the governing ones.

The principle of supercession is also seen in biological evolution, where species that are better adapted to their environment may supersede less adapted ones over time. This is a gradual process driven by natural selection. The term implies a definitive transition where the superseded element is no longer in active use or relevance.