inherit

verb

inherited; inheriting; inherits

transitive verb

1
a
: to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death
b
: to receive as a devise or legacy
2
: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission
inherit a defective enzyme
3
: to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor
inherited the problem from his predecessor
4
: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion
and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance

Examples of inherit in a Sentence

She inherited the family business from her father. Baldness is inherited from the mother's side of the family. She inherited her father's deep blue eyes. She inherited a love of baseball from her dad.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The surviving joint owner automatically inherits full legal title to the account without probate when the other joint owner passes away. Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Metea Valley senior pitcher Charlie Benesh inherited a love of music from her parents. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 His parents’ home was by the university's gate, and Richie later inherited the property. Ilana Frost, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025 Harris inherited much of her campaign apparatus from Biden. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inherit

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enheriten "to give (a person) right of inheritance, make (a person) heir, come into possession of as an heir," borrowed from Anglo-French enheriter, going back to Late Latin inhērēditāre "to appoint as heir," from Latin in- in- entry 2 + Late Latin hērēditāre "to leave as an inheritance, inherit, make an heir" — more at heritage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of inherit was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inherit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherit. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

inherit

verb
1
: to receive by legal right from a person at the person's death
2
: to receive by genetic transmission
inherit red hair
3
: to have handed on to one by someone else
inherit a job
inheritable
-ət-ə-bəl
adjective

Medical Definition

inherit

transitive verb
: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission

Legal Definition

inherit

verb

transitive verb

1
: to receive (property) from an estate by operation of the laws of intestacy
broadly : to receive (property) either by will or through intestate succession
2

intransitive verb

: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance
Etymology

Middle French enheriter to make one an heir, from Late Latin inhereditare, from Latin in- in + hereditas inheritance

More from Merriam-Webster on inherit

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