The term "former" is an adjective that refers to something or someone that was important, relevant, or in use in a past time but is no longer so. It can be used to describe people who have had certain roles or positions in the past, such as former president or former CEO, and things that were once commonplace but are now outdated or obsolete, like a former way of life or a former fashion trend. In essence, "former" implies something that has been replaced by something new or different.