inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s 

-ˈhe-rə-

1

: something that is or may be inherited

2

a

: the act of inheriting property

b

: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring

c

: the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations

3

a

: tradition

b

: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature

4

obsolete : possession

Synonyms

• bequest
• birthright
• heritage
• legacy
• patrimony

Examples of inheritance in a Sentence

She began her own business with the inheritance she got from her grandfather.

He left sizable inheritances to his children.

The buildings are part of the city's architectural inheritance.

the inheritance of an estate

the inheritance of a genetic trait

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2001, my father left my mother, my three siblings, and me a surprise inheritance in a Swiss bank account. —Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024

According to prosecutors, O'Hara was next in line for the mother's inheritance behind her son, Kwan. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

In this braided essay collection, the author traces her legacy of cultural inheritance, colonization and her journey toward becoming a witch, including those cultural touch points that have shaped her. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

The report calculates former presidents' individual net worth based on their incomes, real estate holdings, spouses' wealth and inheritances. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enheritaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French enheritance, from enheriter "to give (a person) right of inheritance, inherit" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing inheritance

• blending inheritance
• inheritance tax
• Mendelian inheritance
• particulate inheritance
• quantitative inheritance

Kids Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of inheriting

2

: something that is or may be inherited

Medical Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s 

1

: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring

2

: all of the genetic characters or qualities transmitted from parent to offspring compare genotype sense 2, phenotype

Legal Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-təns 

1

: the act of inheriting: as

a

: the acquisition of real or personal property under the laws of intestacy or sometimes by will

b

: the succession upon the death of an owner either by will or by operation of law to all the estate, rights, and liabilities of the decedent

2

a

: something that is or may be inherited

b

: something to which one is entitled as heir

increasing the son's potential inheritance under [the] will

—Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)