inheritance

noun in·her·i·tance \ in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s , -ˈhe-rə- \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: inheritance in a Sentence

Definition of inheritance

1 a : the act of inheriting property

b : the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring

c : the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations

2 : something that is or may be inherited

3 a : tradition

b : a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature

4 obsolete : possession

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Examples of inheritance in a Sentence

She began her own business with the inheritance she got from her grandfather.
He left sizable inheritances to his children.
The buildings are part of the city's architectural inheritance.
the inheritance of an estate
the inheritance of a genetic trait

Recent Examples of inheritance from the Web

And inheritance laws do not just pertain to royals.

— simon perry, PEOPLE.com, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Future Daughters Will Not Inherit Titles," 4 June 2018
What’s more, no other class of genetic variants linked to autism shows a paternal inheritance pattern, notes Stephan Sanders, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco.

— nicholette zeliadt, Scientific American, "Some Mutations Tied to Autism May Be Passed Down from Fathers," 19 Apr. 2018
The Baudelaires are placed in the care of Count Olaf, an evil failed actor who is plotting to steal their inheritance.

— michaela bechler, Vogue, "A Series of Unfortunate Events," 29 Mar. 2018
Later that year Spelling would be rocked by the death of her father and the subsequent inheritance scandal that many believe solidified her financial troubles to this day.

— tyler mccarthy, Fox News, "Tori Spelling: From super-rich Hollywood daddy's girl to overwhelmed, struggling reality star," 20 Mar. 2018
In Pakistan, women receive only a portion of an inheritance that males get.

— naila inayat, USA TODAY, "Pakistan confronts its Me Too movement — and backlash," 20 May 2018
The team wanted the family to increase emergency savings and boost college savings with part of the inheritance.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Save the family RV by cutting elsewhere? Maybe, if kids get their way," 27 Apr. 2018
The state Department of Administrative Services seized some of the inheritance to cover the cost of incarcerating Newton.

— david owens, courant.com, "Convicted Swindler Will Not Have To Repay Millions He Stole From Elderly Clients," 17 Apr. 2018
Family life revolves around a matriarch who owns property, controls inheritance rights, and has the last word on domestic decisions.

— jason motlagh, Marie Claire, "Kingdom of Women," 18 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of inheritance

Middle English enheritaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French enheritance, from enheriter "to give (a person) right of inheritance, inherit" + -ance -ance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

inheritance Synonyms

Synonyms

bequest, birthright, heritage, legacy, patrimony;

Related Words

heirloom;

bestowal, gift, offering, present;

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

Financial Definition of INHERITANCE

inheritance

noun

What It Is

An inheritance includes those assets of an estate that are bequeathed, in whole or in part, to specific heirs.

How It Works

The assets that comprise an estate are customarily transferred to individuals specified by name or relationship (e.g. "Howard Jones, III or "grandchild") in the will of the deceased. In the absence of a will, estate assets are transferred according to laws that protect the assets of the deceased (generally passing them to descendants in a specific order). Once transferred, an inheritance is heavily taxed.

For example, Jim's estate is worth $10,000. His will specifies that his son and daughter each receive $5000. Following Jim's death, the son and daughter each receive $5000. This is their inheritance.

Why It Matters

An inheritance represents the material legacy an individual leaves behind after his de The definition of inheritance on InvestingAnswers ath. In addition to the family dynamics involved in the transfer of an inheritance, there are significant tax implications for the inheritors depending on their circumstances and on the value of assets received.