heir presumptive

noun

plural heirs presumptive

: an heir whose legal right to an inheritance may be defeated (as by the birth of a nearer relative)

Examples of heir presumptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The queen’s 1892 trip to Hyères was tainted by her mourning for her eldest grandchild and heir presumptive, Prince Albert Victor. —Jonathan Miles, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023

The first glass coach, surmounted with a golden crown, carried the smiling, heir presumptive to the throne, 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret. —Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2023

Leonor is the heir presumptive rather than the heir apparent because Spanish succession law means that if Felipe were to have a son, the son would take Leonor's place as the heir. —Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023

Leonor, Princess of Asturias (b. 2005) Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz, the eldest child of Felipe and Letizia, is currently the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. —Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 4 Feb. 2023

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. —Town & Country, 16 Dec. 2022

Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and Princess Frederica of Hanover. —Demetris Nellas, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023

Enlarge / Matt Smith stars as the scheming and ruthless Prince Daemon Targaryen, heir presumptive to the Iron Throne. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022

At this time Elizabeth became the heir presumptive. —Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1737, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

heir presumptive

see heir