patrimony
noun
pat·ri·mo·ny
ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē 
1
a
: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor
… there were always children, and the patrimony was divided every time.—
D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence
b
: anything derived from one's father or ancestors : heritage
These historic landmarks are an important part of our cultural patrimony.
2
: an estate or endowment belonging by ancient right to a church
Canon law … aims at conserving the patrimony of the diocese …—Thomas J. Reese
Thomas J. ReeseExamples of patrimony in a Sentence
These historic landmarks are an important part of our cultural patrimony.
her patrimony was the family's newspaper business
Recent Examples on the Web
Brunson has restored that patrimony, bringing the roar back to the Garden in April and May.
—Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
Morgan and Glazer spent months traveling together through the United States, France, England, Scotland and Ireland, scouting antique fairs and dealers, flea markets, junk shops and old manor houses selling their patrimony.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Sheen left most of his patrimony, including writings and audio recordings, to the organization, which raises money for the Catholic Church in Africa, Asia, Latin America and other mission areas.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
There was, first of all, a massive political instrumentalization, which is to say, political parties accusing their government of poorly protecting France’s sacred royalist patrimony.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrimony
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
Morgan and Glazer spent months traveling together through the United States, France, England, Scotland and Ireland, scouting antique fairs and dealers, flea markets, junk shops and old manor houses selling their patrimony.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Sheen left most of his patrimony, including writings and audio recordings, to the organization, which raises money for the Catholic Church in Africa, Asia, Latin America and other mission areas.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
There was, first of all, a massive political instrumentalization, which is to say, political parties accusing their government of poorly protecting France’s sacred royalist patrimony.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrimony
Cite this Entry
“Patrimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrimony. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patrimony
noun
pat·ri·mo·ny
ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē
plural patrimonies
1
: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors
2
: something passed down from one's father or ancestors : heritage
Legal Definition
patrimony
noun
pat·ri·mo·ny
ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē
plural patrimonies
1
: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor
to deprive her and her coheirs of their patrimony—Wells Fargo Bank v. Kincaid, 260 Cal. App. 2d 120 (1968)
Wells Fargo Bank v. Kincaid, 260 Cal. App. 2d 120 (1968)2
: an estate or endowment belonging to a church
the property of a dissolved parish shall pass to the patrimony of the diocese
3
in the civil law of Louisiana
: the net assets of a person : the sum of a person's assets and liabilities
reimbursement shall be made from the patrimony of the spouse who owes reimbursement—Louisiana Civil Code
Louisiana Civil CodeEtymology
Middle French patrimonie, from Latin patrimonium, from patr-, pater father
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
