1
2
: something of special value handed down from one generation to another
The pin she's wearing is a family heirloom.
3
: 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
Examples of heirloom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His tending to the work’s 19th-century roots first bore heirloom fruit in 2016 at Zurich Ballet before our local company took charge of the North American premiere in 2022.
—
Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
The absorbent 100% cotton towels are designed to have a soft feel and a classic heirloom quality that will look beautiful in any space and feel wonderful, too.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
One former employee opened a butcher shop, and others sell local pottery and textiles or heirloom tomatoes to top-tier restaurants in the capital.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2024
My family had this old farmhouse, which became a repository for family hand-me downs and heirlooms.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Once an heirloom that was gifted to enslaved women as a substitute for pay, the fur coat is embedded with notions of agency and independence.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
That could be heirloom tomatoes in the summer, roasted root veggies in the winter, or greens like baby spinach during the spring bloom.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 15 Mar. 2024
Pro tip: The farm also has fresh asparagus and heirloom leaf lettuce available through early May.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Heirloom Tomato Salad View Recipe A sprinkle of microgreens takes juicy heirloom tomatoes to the next level.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024
Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
The absorbent 100% cotton towels are designed to have a soft feel and a classic heirloom quality that will look beautiful in any space and feel wonderful, too.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
One former employee opened a butcher shop, and others sell local pottery and textiles or heirloom tomatoes to top-tier restaurants in the capital.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2024
My family had this old farmhouse, which became a repository for family hand-me downs and heirlooms.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Once an heirloom that was gifted to enslaved women as a substitute for pay, the fur coat is embedded with notions of agency and independence.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
That could be heirloom tomatoes in the summer, roasted root veggies in the winter, or greens like baby spinach during the spring bloom.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 15 Mar. 2024
Pro tip: The farm also has fresh asparagus and heirloom leaf lettuce available through early May.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Heirloom Tomato Salad View Recipe A sprinkle of microgreens takes juicy heirloom tomatoes to the next level.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heirloom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near heirloom
Cite this Entry
“Heirloom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heirloom. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heirloom
noun
heir·loom
ˈa(ə)r-ˌlüm 
ˈe(ə)r-
: a piece of personal property handed down from generation to generation
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