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

: tradition

b

: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature

4

obsolete : possession

Synonyms

• bequest
• birthright
• heritage
• legacy
• patrimony

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

Try to wrap up as much as possible with details related to loans, mortgages, inheritances, shared property, taxes and debt. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2024

That’s because a sizable chunk of the generation is already dipping into their inheritance while their parents are still alive. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

The Roaring 20's During the 1920s and 1930s, genetics researchers such as Thomas Morgan were at the forefront of discovering the genetic basis of inheritance. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Further revelations ensue: namely, a criminal operation that is part of the inheritance. —Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024

But more than 25% of Americans believe paying for long-term care will diminish their children's inheritance, a 2023 Nationwide Retirement Institute survey of 1,439 boomers, Gen Xers and millennials showed. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024

If not cash, younger generations looking to buy a home are also planning to dip into their inheritance to fund their down payment, or are simply living with their parents or other family members to save money, Redfin data journalist Dana Anderson wrote. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024

In reality, more people are likely to get a windfall from an inheritance, insurance payout or from winning a lawsuit. —Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

Cause all jokes aside, resilience is our inheritance. —Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enheritaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French enheritance, from enheriter "to give (a person) right of inheritance, inherit" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing inheritance

• blending inheritance
• inheritance tax
• Mendelian inheritance
• particulate inheritance
• quantitative inheritance

Kids 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)