heir presumptive

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of heir presumptive

plural heirs presumptive

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

Recent Examples of heir presumptive from the Web

When William X’s only son died in 1130, Eleanor (who would have been between 6 and 8 years old) became her father’s heir presumptive, a fact that would have kicked her education into high gear.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Eleanor of Aquitaine," 4 Apr. 2018
This idyllic society successfully marries scientific innovation with tribal traditions and an egalitarian ethos—during periods of royal succession, a leader from each of Wakanda’s five ethnic groups may challenge the heir presumptive for the throne.

— jonathan w. gray, New Republic, "The Liberating Visions of Black Panther," 13 Feb. 2018

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