bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

bē-

bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

transitive verb

1

: to give or leave by will (see will entry 2 sense 1)

—used especially of personal property

a ring bequeathed to her by her grandmother

2

: to hand down : transmit

lessons bequeathed to future generations

bequeathal

bi-ˈkwē-thəl 

-t͟həl

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• leave
• will

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

He bequeathed his paintings to the museum.

Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Collectors who have been active in the market for decades have built up large collections, that will either have to be sold, passed on to family or bequeathed to museums or nonprofits. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024

Our constitutional order has bequeathed us the freest and most prosperous society mankind has ever known. —Christian Schneider, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024

Suzanne has followed her lead, has also bequeathed her body to the Faculté de Médecine. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

In The Friend, Watts plays a novelist and creative writing teacher whose solitary life is upended after the unexpected death of a friend (Bill Murray), who bequeaths his Great Dane to her, per the NYFF's official synopsis. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bequethen, from Old English becwethan, from be- + cwethan to say — more at quoth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

1

: to give or leave property by a will

2

: hand down sense 1

traditions bequeathed by our ancestors

bequeathal

-əl 

noun

Legal Definition

bequeath

transitive verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth, -ˈkwēt͟h 

: to give by will

—used especially of personal property but sometimes of real property see also legacy, legatee compare devise

Etymology

Old English becwethan to speak to, address, leave by will, from be- to, about + cwethan to say