bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths
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
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
Here’s what to know. History of the Selby Gardens
Marie Selby, a passionate gardener and Sarasota resident, bequeathed her 15-acre bayfront home and estate to the general public in 1973, and the botanical gardens were born.
—
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Songs crafted by artists who emerged in this era arrived like troubadours, bequeathing a treasure trove for troubled times.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The impressive signature piece is not officially part of the crown jewels, but it was inherited by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to whom Dame Margaret Greville bequeathed her entire jewelry collection in 1942.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 July 2025
And then, in the next episode, through an inheritance bequeathed to Ada out of the blue, the family’s money troubles are instantly over.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bequeath
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Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Songs crafted by artists who emerged in this era arrived like troubadours, bequeathing a treasure trove for troubled times.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The impressive signature piece is not officially part of the crown jewels, but it was inherited by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to whom Dame Margaret Greville bequeathed her entire jewelry collection in 1942.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 July 2025
And then, in the next episode, through an inheritance bequeathed to Ada out of the blue, the family’s money troubles are instantly over.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bequeath
Cite this Entry
“Bequeath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequeath. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to give or leave property by a will
2
: hand down sense 1
traditions bequeathed by our ancestors
Legal Definition
bequeath
transitive verb
be·queath
bi-ˈkwēth, -ˈkwēt͟h 
Etymology
Old English becwethan to speak to, address, leave by will, from be- to, about + cwethan to say
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