heir apparent

noun

plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances

Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence

The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
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.
Particularly after a stellar Summer League showing, the belief in Houston was that Sheppard would become the eventual heir apparent to incumbent starting point guard Fred VanVleet. Rahat Huq, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Was it meant to represent Adrien Stern, Thierry’s elder son and heir apparent? Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024 James, who at one point was seen as the heir apparent to his father’s media empire but lost a power struggle to his brother, has taken aim at his family’s business. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024 That made Hafez’s eldest son, Bassel, the heir apparent. Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heir apparent 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near heir apparent

Cite this Entry

“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

heir apparent

noun
plural heirs apparent
: an heir whose right to succeed (as to a throne) cannot be taken away if he or she outlives the present holder

Legal Definition

heir apparent

see heir

More from Merriam-Webster on heir apparent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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