heir apparent

heir apparent

noun

plural heirs apparent

Definition of HEIR APPARENT

1

: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor

2

: heir presumptive

3

: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances

Examples of HEIR APPARENT

1. The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.

First Known Use of HEIR APPARENT

14th century