bequest

noun

be·​quest bi-ˈkwest 

bē-

1

: the act of giving or leaving something by will (see will entry 2 sense 1) : the act of bequeathing

established at the bequest of a local philanthropist

2

: something given or left by will or transmitted from the past : something bequeathed : legacy

made a bequest of his paintings to the museum

Synonyms

• birthright
• heritage
• inheritance
• legacy
• patrimony

Examples of bequest in a Sentence

He made a bequest of his paintings to the museum.

left small bequests to all of her nieces and nephews

Recent Examples on the Web

Is the bequest to the children infinite in size or zero in value? —Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

But donations from individuals, foundations, corporations and bequests only amount to no more than 15% of the funds flowing into the nonprofit sector. —Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025

Steps to Prepare: Stress-Test Portfolios: Evaluate how market volatility might impact estate liquidity and funding for obligations like taxes or charitable bequests. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

This kind of bequest is a huge deal for Symphony San Jose, which in 2022 had an operating budget of about $4 million. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, irregular from bequethen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bequest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• caressed
• celeste

Kids Definition

bequest

noun

be·​quest bi-ˈkwest 

1

: the action of bequeathing

2

: something given or left by a will

Legal Definition

bequest

noun

be·​quest bi-ˈkwest 

: an act of bequeathing

also : something bequeathed : legacy

— demonstrative bequest \ di-​ˈmän-​strə-​tiv-​ \

: a bequest of a particular amount of money or property to be distributed first from one source in the estate and then from other sources to the extent that the first is insufficient

— general bequest

: a bequest that is to be distributed from the general assets of the estate and that is not a particular thing

— specific bequest \ spə-​ˈsi-​fik-​ \

: a bequest of a particular item or part of an estate or that is payable only from a specified source in the estate and not from the general assets