Simple Definition of heir

from our Learner's Dictionary

heir

noun

plural heirs
1
: a person who has the legal right to receive the property of someone who dies
His heirs could inherit millions of dollars.
often + to
She is the sole heir to her family's fortune.
2
: a person who has the right to become a king or queen or to claim a title when the person holding it dies
The king left no heirs when he died.

Cite this Entry

“Heir.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/heir. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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