heritage

noun

her·​i·​tage ˈher-ə-tij 

ˈhe-rə-

1

: property that descends to an heir

2

a

: something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor : legacy, inheritance

proud of her Chinese heritage

a rich heritage of folklore

The battlefields are part of our heritage and should be preserved.

b

: tradition

the party's heritage of secularism

3

: something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth : birthright

the heritage of natural freedom was long since cast away

—V. L. Parrington

Synonyms

• convention
• custom
• prescription
• rubric
• rule
• tradition

Examples of heritage in a Sentence

hospitality is a cherished Southern heritage

this farm is my heritage from my father, as it was for him from his father

Recent Examples on the Web

In other words, Black History Month—along with other heritage months—was effectively erased from official recognition. —Essence, 20 Feb. 2025

The line, which is based in Los Angeles, wholesales from $70 for the lightweight tanks to about $259 for the coats The collection is a reflection of real life and is inspired by heritage and human connection. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025

Timex has also added a few thoughtful touches, like the pump style pushers and the Waterbury Watch Company logo engraved on the crown, which are nice throwback cues to the brands heritage. —Matthew Catellier, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

As a writer, photographer, creative director, and public speaker, her work examines inequities in global supply chains—particularly within the fashion industry—while amplifying narratives of resilience, heritage, and cultural preservation. —Photovogue, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heritage, eritage, borrowed from Anglo-French, from heriter "to inherit, make an heir" (going back to Late Latin hērēditāre "to leave as an inheritance, inherit, make an heir," from Latin hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāre, verb suffix) + -age -age

Note: The Latin verb suffix -itāre normally has repetitive or frequentative value (cf. hesitate, meditate, palpitate), not factitive or causative value, so in this instance it may be of distinct origin. A possible model is the adjective hērēditārius (see hereditary), in the formation of which a stem hērēdit- appears to have been extracted from the noun hērēditāt-, hērēditās "succession to an heir, inheritance," by construing the suffix as -āt-, -ās (or, alternatively, *hērēditātārius was shortened by haplology to hērēditārius).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

heritage

noun

her·​i·​tage ˈher-ət-ij 

1

: property that is handed down to an heir

2

: something acquired from the past

a rich heritage of folklore