heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈer-ˌlüm 

1

: a piece of property (such as a deed or charter) that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of real property

2

: something of special value handed down from one generation to another

The pin she's wearing is a family heirloom.

3

: a variety of plant that has originated under cultivation and that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals

heirloom tomatoes

Examples of heirloom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Loading your cherished heirloom dishes onto the bottom rack can damage them. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025

If this sounds like the journey of food production in the late 20th century—away from conventional agriculture and toward sustainable and regenerative farms growing heirloom vegetables and heritage breeds—the parallels are close. —Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025

The Exchange, on Seed Savers’ website, pairs people who save heirloom seeds with those who want them, all for the price of postage. —Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025

Upstairs, an heirloom teddy bear-making class was in session. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ayre lome, heyr lome, from ayre, heyr heir entry 1 + lome "implement" — more at loom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heirloom

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

heirloom

noun

heir·​loom ˈa(ə)r-ˌlüm 

ˈe(ə)r-

: a piece of personal property handed down from generation to generation