heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈer-ˌlüm 

1

: something of special value handed down from one generation to another

The pin she's wearing is a family heirloom.

2

: a variety of plant that has originated under cultivation and that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals

heirloom tomatoes

3

: a piece of property (such as a deed or charter) that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of real property

Examples of heirloom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those non-native plants, which include heirloom fruit trees like peaches, plums and apricots, have started feeling the impacts of a warmer and drier climate, according to Cowen. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026

One section of the nursery was exclusively heirloom tomato varietals from Wild Boar Farms in Citrus Heights. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Put another way, though, this was just a fancy heirloom, a diary left to be found. —Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026

Pull off the ceramic top, and customers will find Missouri catfish, black olive oil, trout roe, chives and heirloom corn ($19). —Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ayre lome, heyr lome, from ayre, heyr heir entry 1 + lome "implement" — more at loom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for heirloom

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈa(ə)r-ˌlüm 

ˈe(ə)r-

: a piece of personal property handed down from generation to generation