bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth How to pronounce bequeath (audio) -ˈkwēt͟h How to pronounce bequeath (audio)
bē-
bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

transitive verb

1
: to give or leave by will (see will entry 2 sense 1)
used especially of personal property
a ring bequeathed to her by her grandmother
2
: to hand down : transmit
lessons bequeathed to future generations
bequeathal
bi-ˈkwē-thəl How to pronounce bequeath (audio)
-t͟həl
bē-
noun

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

He bequeathed his paintings to the museum. Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Following its disappearance from that institution, it was purchased in 1948 from a New York dealer by financier and Met trustee Walter C. Baker, who bequeathed it to the Met. News Desk, Artforum, 25 Feb. 2025 Watts stars as Iris, a woman who finds her comfortable New York life upended when her friend and mentor Walter (Murray) bequeaths her his Great Dane, Apollo. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025 In that film, his character bequeathed his signature vibranium shield to Mackie's Sam. Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier officially knighted Sam as the new Cap, and his story continues in next month's movie Captain America: Brave New World. Nick Romano, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2025 Though the artist had bequeathed most of his work to the United Kingdom’s national art collection, some pieces were left to his dealer, Thomas Griffith, including The Approach to Venice. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bequeath

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bequethen, from Old English becwethan, from be- + cwethan to say — more at quoth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bequeath was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bequeath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequeath. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

bequeath

verb
1
: to give or leave property by a will
2
: hand down sense 1
traditions bequeathed by our ancestors
bequeathal noun

Legal Definition

bequeath

transitive verb
: to give by will
used especially of personal property but sometimes of real property
see also legacy, legatee compare devise
Etymology

Old English becwethan to speak to, address, leave by will, from be- to, about + cwethan to say

More from Merriam-Webster on bequeath

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