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
There are several reasons why people want to extend the age of handing over an inheritance to a child, including prolonged adolescence, substance abuse, gambling addictions, and the possibility of undue influence, among others.
—
Christine Fletcher, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
In Shiite theology, the authority of imams stems from divine duty, not from inheritance.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Yet the same Reader's Digest article estimates Harry's net worth as a meager $10 million, which is likely a little on the low side as it is based entirely on his inheritance from Princess Diana.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Neil Irwin Jan 22, 2025 - Politics & Policy
The paradox of Trump's economic inheritance
President Trump is inheriting an economy that is simultaneously robust and fragile.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
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Christine Fletcher, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
In Shiite theology, the authority of imams stems from divine duty, not from inheritance.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Yet the same Reader's Digest article estimates Harry's net worth as a meager $10 million, which is likely a little on the low side as it is based entirely on his inheritance from Princess Diana.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Neil Irwin Jan 22, 2025 - Politics & Policy
The paradox of Trump's economic inheritance
President Trump is inheriting an economy that is simultaneously robust and fragile.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 11 Feb. 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 19 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?
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