Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

appurtenance

noun ap·pur·te·nance \ ə-ˈpərt-nən(t)s , -ˈpər-tə-nən(t)s \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of appurtenance

1 appurtenances plural : accessory objects
  • the appurtenances of wealth
2 law : an incidental right (such as a right-of-way) attached to a principal property right and passing in possession with it
3 : a subordinate part or adjunct
  • The appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony.
  • —William Shakespeare

See appurtenance defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of appurtenance

see appurtenant

APPURTENANCE Defined for English Language Learners

appurtenance

noun

Definition of appurtenance for English Language Learners

  • : an object that is used with or for something

Law Dictionary

appurtenance

noun ap·pur·te·nance \ ə-ˈpərt-ᵊn-əns \

legal Definition of appurtenance

: property (as an outbuilding or fixture) or a property right (as a right-of-way) that is incidental to a principal property and that passes with the principal property upon sale or transfer

Origin and Etymology of appurtenance

Anglo-French apurtenance, alteration of Old French apartenance, from apartenant appurtenant

Learn More about appurtenance

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of appurtenance Nglish: Translation of appurtenance for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up appurtenance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

grudging

play

unwilling or reluctant

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

appurtenance

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Add Diction
Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game