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—T. J. Reese
T. 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
Right-wing Israelis regard the entire West Bank as their exclusive patrimony, so they might not be thrilled to get only 30 percent more of it.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Their genetic patrimony is very simple.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 18 Nov. 2024
In the most profoundly general sense, the very enactment of this legislation reflected and represented a monumental shift in the power relationships between museums and Native communities and their cultural patrimony.
—Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024
The family eventually registered the work with Italy’s patrimony police.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
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Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Their genetic patrimony is very simple.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 18 Nov. 2024
In the most profoundly general sense, the very enactment of this legislation reflected and represented a monumental shift in the power relationships between museums and Native communities and their cultural patrimony.
—Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024
The family eventually registered the work with Italy’s patrimony police.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for patrimony
Cite this Entry
“Patrimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrimony. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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
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