heir presumptive

noun

plural heirs presumptive
: an heir whose legal right to an inheritance may be defeated (as by the birth of a nearer relative)

Examples of heir presumptive in a Sentence

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.
Naruhito only has three heirs: his younger brother and heir presumptive Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino (58); his 17-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito; and his paternal uncle Prince Hitachi (88). Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 May 2024 Did the two boys—Edward, the heir presumptive, and his younger brother, Richard—survive their confinement in the tower, which was precipitated by Richard III’s usurpation of the throne? John Anderson, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023 The queen’s 1892 trip to Hyères was tainted by her mourning for her eldest grandchild and heir presumptive, Prince Albert Victor. Jonathan Miles, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023 The first glass coach, surmounted with a golden crown, carried the smiling, heir presumptive to the throne, 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret. Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2023 Leonor is the heir presumptive rather than the heir apparent because Spanish succession law means that if Felipe were to have a son, the son would take Leonor's place as the heir. Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023 Leonor, Princess of Asturias (b. 2005) Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz, the eldest child of Felipe and Letizia, is currently the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 4 Feb. 2023 Leonor, Princess of Asturias, is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. Town & Country, 16 Dec. 2022 Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and Princess Frederica of Hanover. Demetris Nellas, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1737, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heir presumptive was circa 1737

Dictionary Entries Near heir presumptive

Cite this Entry

“Heir presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20presumptive. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

heir presumptive

see heir

More from Merriam-Webster on heir presumptive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!