bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

bē-

bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

transitive verb

1

: to give or leave by will (see will entry 2 sense 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

bi-ˈkwē-thəl 

-t͟həl, 

bē-

noun

Synonyms of bequeath

• leave
• will

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

He bequeathed his paintings to the museum.

Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Certainly the june bug — winged music, forest crackle, witness to the lives of mud — will bequeath some of her vitality to the sharp song of the bird from a city so foreign to her. —María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026

To the presentation of personal items, all culled from the trove of clothing and ephemera (photos, letters, books) that Talley bequeathed to SCAD in 2022, Gomes has added some of the gifts to the school’s permanent collection that the style arbiter coaxed out of his designer friends. —Amy Fine Collins, Air Mail, 28 Mar. 2026

Indyke and Kahn serve as co-executors of Epstein's estate, were bequeathed by Epstein $50 and $25 million respectively, and managed Epstein's legal and financial affairs. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

Before the ceremony, the queen bequeathed William the title of Duke of Cambridge. —Christopher Luu, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bequeath

• underneath
• beneath
• neath
• sheath
• teeth
• wreath

Kids Definition

bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

1

: to give or leave property by a will

2

: hand down sense 1

traditions bequeathed by our ancestors

bequeathal

-əl 

noun

Legal Definition

bequeath

transitive verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth, -ˈkwēt͟h 

: to give by will

—used especially of personal property but sometimes of real property see also legacy, legatee compare devise

Etymology

Old English becwethan to speak to, address, leave by will, from be- to, about + cwethan to say