inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s 

-ˈhe-rə-

1

: something that is or may be inherited

2

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

3

a

: tradition

b

: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature

4

obsolete : possession

Synonyms of inheritance

• legacy
• bequest
• gift

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 on the Web

This may literally come in the form of a settlement, bonus, assets or an inheritance — or could be a good time to meet with a financial advisor to get you on track. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Family conflicts related to inheritance are among the most common factors undermining wealth transfers. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

That’s how Visa arrived at its $36 trillion bottom-line inheritance figure. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

But whether your state follows community property or common-law rules can affect taxes, inheritance, divorce, and estate planning long before that day arrives. — Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing inheritance

• blending inheritance
• inheritance tax
• Mendelian inheritance
• particulate inheritance
• quantitative inheritance

Kids Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of inheriting

2

: something that is or may be inherited

Medical Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s 

1

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

2

: all of the genetic characters or qualities transmitted from parent to offspring compare genotype sense 2, phenotype

Legal Definition

inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-təns 

1

: the act of inheriting: as

a

: the acquisition of real or personal property under the laws of intestacy or sometimes by will

b

: the succession upon the death of an owner either by will or by operation of law to all the estate, rights, and liabilities of the decedent

2

a

: something that is or may be inherited

b

: something to which one is entitled as heir

increasing the son's potential inheritance under [the] will

—Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)