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
Ultimately, The Phoenician Scheme is a story about inheritance, literal and metaphorical.
—
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Van Rappard’s potential departure underscores earlier concerns that the U.K. could see an exodus of wealthy individuals after the Labour government adopted a series of reforms that increases taxes on capital gains and inheritances, while ending a preferential regime for non-domiciled residents.
—Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Discussions about how to share something, like an inheritance, will also benefit you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Amber can’t let Delia’s resistance keep her from her inheritance.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
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Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Van Rappard’s potential departure underscores earlier concerns that the U.K. could see an exodus of wealthy individuals after the Labour government adopted a series of reforms that increases taxes on capital gains and inheritances, while ending a preferential regime for non-domiciled residents.
—Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Discussions about how to share something, like an inheritance, will also benefit you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Amber can’t let Delia’s resistance keep her from her inheritance.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 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 24 May. 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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