bequest

be·quest | \ bi-ˈkwest

, bē- \

Definition of bequest

1 : the act of giving or leaving something by will (see will entry 2 sense 1) : the act of bequeathing established at the bequest of a local philanthropist

2 : something given or left by will or transmitted from the past : something bequeathed : legacy made a bequest of his paintings to the museum

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bequest

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Examples of bequest in a Sentence

He made a bequest of his paintings to the museum. left small bequests to all of her nieces and nephews

Recent Examples on the Web At the bequest of fans, Marvel has made progress in telling more diverse stories. — NBC News, "Transgender character coming to Marvel Cinematic Universe," 2 Jan. 2020 For community college students across Washington, the bequest will translate to scholarships and other support. — The Seattle Times, oregonlive, "Former Oregonian, 105, leaves $10 million to Washington community colleges," 14 Dec. 2019 Admission to the Tiffany show, which focuses largely on works recently donated to the museum through a bequest from the late Cleveland industrialist Charles Maurer, a Tiffany collector, is free. — Steven Litt, cleveland, "Cleveland Museum of Art extends holiday weekend hours for Michelangelo, Tiffany, atrium cocktails," 17 Nov. 2019 To manage the bequest, the library partnered with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to provide investment and administrative services for the funds. — Jeff Rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Shorewood residents left $5.5 million library donation in their will," 26 Nov. 2019 The University of Cincinnati has traveled far since Charles McMicken’s bequest in 1858. — Max Londberg, Cincinnati.com, "Slaveowner 'pivotal' to UC's founding should be removed from college's name, group says," 22 Nov. 2019 The bequest to Harvard came from the proceeds of the plantation in Antigua and from the exploitation and sale of human beings that Royall regarded as chattel,’’ Browne wrote in his letter. — BostonGlobe.com, "The bloody event, the authors of ‘‘On the Battlefield of Merit’’ say, is part of Harvard Law’s history too.," 7 Nov. 2019 But there are also other kinds of bequests in the ether, as the scars on Logan’s back—paid forward as emotional wounds to his children and grandchildren—made clear. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "This Is What a Happy Ending Looks Like on Succession," 14 Oct. 2019 Several months after Larry died, Shorewood Library Director Rachel Collins said she was notified of the $5.5 million bequest. — Jeff Rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Shorewood residents left $5.5 million library donation in their will," 26 Nov. 2019

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

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Statistics for bequest

Last Updated

14 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Bequest.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequest. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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More Definitions for bequest

bequest

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bequest

: the property or money that you promise in your will to give to another person or organization after you die

See the full definition for bequest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bequest

noun

be·quest | \ bi-ˈkwest

Kids Definition of bequest

1 : the act of leaving property by means of a will

2 : something given or left by a will

bequest

noun

be·quest | \ bi-ˈkwest

Legal Definition of bequest

: an act of bequeathing also : something bequeathed : legacy

— demonstrative bequest \ di-ˈmän-strə-tiv- \

: a bequest of a particular amount of money or property to be distributed first from one source in the estate and then from other sources to the extent that the first is insufficient

— general bequest

: a bequest that is to be distributed from the general assets of the estate and that is not a particular thing

— specific bequest \ spə-ˈsi-fik- \

: a bequest of a particular item or part of an estate or that is payable only from a specified source in the estate and not from the general assets

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