heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈer-ˌlüm 

1

: something of special value handed down from one generation to another

The pin she's wearing is a family heirloom.

2

: a variety of plant that has originated under cultivation and that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals

heirloom tomatoes

3

: a piece of property (such as a deed or charter) that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of real property

Examples of heirloom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On top of that, heirloom pieces have already been polished many times and could be more vulnerable to a cleaning product like Tarn-X. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

Many families treat the pins as heirlooms. —Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

As part of his mission at the restaurant, Brock worked with producers like Glenn Roberts at Anson Mills to revive heirloom grains native to the South. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

Its wide, full tips are also crush-resistant and molded after real tree branches to give it an authentic appearance, and there are more than 4,000 of them to give you plenty of room to add all of your favorite heirloom ornaments to your tree. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ayre lome, heyr lome, from ayre, heyr heir entry 1 + lome "implement" — more at loom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for heirloom

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈa(ə)r-ˌlüm 

ˈe(ə)r-

: a piece of personal property handed down from generation to generation