bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth How to pronounce bequeath (audio) -ˈkwēt͟h How to pronounce bequeath (audio)
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 How to pronounce bequeath (audio)
-t͟həl
bē-
noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before his death, Rodin bequeathed all his works and possessions to France. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The former estate was bequeathed to the Swiss state in 1973, according to the Geneva government. Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025 For more than two centuries, the good fathers have carved the Commonwealth into 120 counties, stripping the land bare and bequeathing it to white boys with sinister grins and dwindling resources. Jonathon Sturgeon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 The ascent of Benson Boone, with his mustache and his backflips, suggests that Jackman may yet find inheritors to carry on the tradition he himself was bequeathed by Diamond and the rest. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bequeath

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bequeath was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bequeath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequeath. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bequeath

verb
1
: to give or leave property by a will
2
: hand down sense 1
traditions bequeathed by our ancestors
bequeathal noun

Legal Definition

bequeath

transitive verb
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bequeath

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