bequeath

verb be·queath \ bi-ˈkwēth , -ˈkwēt͟h , bē- \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: bequeath in a Sentence

Definition of bequeath

bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

transitive verb

1 : to give or leave by will (see ²will 1) —used especially of personal property

a ring bequeathed to her by her grandmother

2 : to hand down : transmit

lessons bequeathed to future generations

—

bequeathal

play \-ˈkwē-thəl, -t͟həl\ noun

See bequeath defined for English-language learners

See bequeath defined for kids

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

He bequeathed his paintings to the museum.
Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.

Recent Examples of bequeath from the Web

The long oil boom that started at nearby Spindletop bequeathed Houston a freewheeling spirit and a pathological suspicion of zoning laws.

— The Economist, "Demography is not destinyBuilding a multiracial coalition is more difficult than it seems," 12 July 2018
But Kim Jong Un was 27 when he was bequeathed the country.

— anna fifield, BostonGlobe.com, "For Kim Jong Un, meeting Trump is about cementing power at home," 10 June 2018
African American struggles of the 1800s bequeathed to those born in the 21st century the basis for the right to be free from removal, exile or banishment.

— martha s. jones, Time, "How the 14th Amendment's Promise of Birthright Citizenship Redefined America," 9 July 2018
The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Remembering the Capital Gazette Victims," 29 June 2018
Both are projects of the Fondation Giacometti, which was established in 2003 to promote study and appreciation of the artist, and to manage the world’s largest collection of his paintings, sculptures and drawings (bequeathed by his widow, Annette).

— The Economist, "How Alberto Giacometti became a legend," 14 June 2018
Ewing bequeathed the samples to his former postdoc, Peter Burns, then a professor at Notre Dame.

— sarah scoles, WIRED, "How a Uranium Hunter Sniffs Out Nuclear Weapons," 11 June 2018
But Kim Jong Un was 27 when he was bequeathed the country.

— anna fifield, BostonGlobe.com, "For Kim Jong Un, meeting Trump is about cementing power at home," 10 June 2018
Unlike Meghan’s, Kate’s coat of arms was bequeathed to her whole family and presented to her father, Michael.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "All the Poignant Symbolism in Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s Coat of Arms," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bequeath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bequeath

Middle English bequethen, from Old English becwethan, from be- + cwethan to say — more at quoth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

bequeath Synonyms

Synonyms

leave, will;

Related Words

deed;

hand down, hand on, pass (down);

devise;

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

BEQUEATH Defined for English Language Learners

bequeath

verb

Definition of bequeath for English Language Learners

: to say in a will that (your property) will be given to (a person or organization) after you die
: to give (ideas, knowledge, etc.) to (younger people) as part of their history