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
b
: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature
4
obsolete
: possession
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
That inheritance, supplemented by her subsequent work in the private sector, increased plenty by the time Trump tapped her to be his first transportation secretary.
—
Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
This includes the majority of the financial inheritance, family heirlooms and the family home.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
And the average inheritance received by white families is nearly three times the average inheritance received by Black families.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Talking to kids about their inheritance A concern for the wealthy members of advisory network Tiger 21 is how and when to talk to their children about their inheritance.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
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Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
This includes the majority of the financial inheritance, family heirlooms and the family home.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
And the average inheritance received by white families is nearly three times the average inheritance received by Black families.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Talking to kids about their inheritance A concern for the wealthy members of advisory network Tiger 21 is how and when to talk to their children about their inheritance.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
Cite this Entry
“Inheritance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inheritance. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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