inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
-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
b
: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature
4
obsolete : possession

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 Families pass down three types of inheritances: genetic, material and psychological. Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 While millennials may be disappointed with their relatives (the Alliant report found 55% of boomers are planning to gift an inheritance of less than $250,000), the Gen Zers EduBirdie spoke to discovered an overwhelming fact: Family and relationships are more important to them than any career. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 While William, the Prince of Wales, is no stranger to the public eye, the conversation of his throne inheritance thrusts him even further into the spotlight. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The girls' inheritance is a beloved but ramshackle inn located in the (very white) back of beyond in rural Maine. Carole V. Bell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, this wealth shift is a result of inheritance from prior generations, largely involving property but also other assets. Anna Bahney, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Through epigenetic inheritance, altered genes, cultivated from going through traumatic experiences—typically during early childhood—are passed from parent to child. Jazmin Towe, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024 In court records published Feb. 7, officials allege that Jamey, as the executor of his late brother Leon Noel's estate, gifted Kasey $36,000 in equity, which prevented Leon's three children from receiving their full inheritance. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 14 Feb. 2024 The scheme also covers inheritance and gift taxes for foreign assets, which, in any case, is only 4% for regular taxpayers. Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inheritance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inheritance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inheritance

Cite this Entry

“Inheritance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inheritance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inheritance

noun
in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
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 How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
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 How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
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] willLesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)

More from Merriam-Webster on inheritance

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