inherit

verb in·her·it \ in-ˈher-ət , -ˈhe-rət \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: inherit in a Sentence

Definition of inherit

inherited; inheriting; inherits

transitive verb

1 : to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion

and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life
—Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)

2 a : to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death

b : to receive as a devise or legacy

3 : to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission

inherit a defective enzyme

4 : to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor

inherited the problem from his predecessor

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance

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inheritor

play \in-ˈher-ə-tər, -ˈhe-rə-\ noun

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inheritress

play \in-ˈher-ə-trəs, -ˈhe-rə-\ or inheritrix play \in-ˈher-ə-(ˌ)triks, -ˈhe-rə-\ noun

See inherit defined for English-language learners

See inherit defined for kids

Examples of inherit in a Sentence

She inherited the family business from her father.
Baldness is inherited from the mother's side of the family.
She inherited her father's deep blue eyes.
She inherited a love of baseball from her dad.
When my brother left for college, I inherited his old computer.
The company's new president will inherit some complicated legal problems.
When the coach quit, her assistant inherited a last-place team.

Recent Examples of inherit from the Web

City Councilor Lydia Edwards said Chang inherited a difficult position as Boston’s school superintendent, as the city continues to grapple with its history, including with busing.

— john hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "Tommy Chang’s relationship with community never clicked, observers say," 23 June 2018
Whatever the case, after inheriting the barest cupboard in the league, Marks finally has the Nets on a level playing field.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "Trade Grades: Nets Come Out As Clear Winner in Dwight Howard Deal," 20 June 2018
Earlier this week, Mina had said the gunman inherited two rifles, two shotguns and a handgun from his father.

— faith karimi, CNN, "Orlando officer shot in deadly standoff is fighting for his life, wife says," 14 June 2018
After inheriting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq from George W. Bush, Barack Obama used that authority to extend America’s counterterrorism efforts to include military actions in Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and other countries.

— mattathias schwartz, The New Republic, "The Case Against John Doe, American Jihadist," 19 Apr. 2018
Like Spider-Man, Shelby inherits more responsibility with his increasing power, Stewart said.

— howard koplowitz, AL.com, "What does having Richard Shelby as Senate Appropriations chairman mean for Alabama?," 12 Apr. 2018
Before the surgery, Henry had dealt with the tremor in her dominant left hand since junior high, after inheriting the movement disorder from her father, TMC News reported.

— allyson chiu, ajc, "Flute player performs while undergoing brain surgery," 2 Apr. 2018
After inheriting the defunct Hanyu Distillery from his grandfather, Akuto rebottled all its bottles and now tinkers with what’s left at his Chichibu distillery.

— dan q. dao, GQ, "Japanese Whisky: A Guide for the Thirsty and Curious," 2 Apr. 2018
Scott Frost, who led UCF to that 13-0 season just two years after inheriting a team that went 0-12, is now at Nebraska.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "With spring football to begin, this team should set the standard in Florida | Miami Herald," 19 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of inherit

Middle English enheriten "to give (a person) right of inheritance, make (a person) heir, come into possession of as an heir," borrowed from Anglo-French enheriter, going back to Late Latin inhērēditāre "to appoint as heir," from Latin in- ²in- + Late Latin hērēditāre "to leave as an inheritance, inherit, make an heir" — more at heritage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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INHERIT Defined for English Language Learners

inherit

verb

Definition of inherit for English Language Learners

: to receive (money, property, etc.) from someone when that person dies
biology : to have (a characteristic, disease, etc.) because of the genes that you get from your parents when you are born
: to get (a personal quality, interest, etc.) because of the influence or example of your parents or other relatives

INHERIT Defined for Kids

inherit

verb in·her·it \ in-ˈher-ət \

Definition of inherit for Students

inherited; inheriting

1 : to get by legal right from a person at his or her death

2 : to get by heredity

I inherited red hair.

Medical Dictionary

inherit

transitive verb in·her·it \ in-ˈher-ət \

medical Definition of inherit

: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission

Law Dictionary

inherit

verb in·her·it \ in-ˈher-it \

legal Definition of inherit

transitive verb

1 : to receive (property) from an estate by operation of the laws of intestacy; broadly : to receive (property) either by will or through intestate succession

2 : succeed

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance

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