patrimony

noun

pat·​ri·​mo·​ny ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē 

1

a

: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor

there were always children, and the patrimony was divided every time

—D. H. Lawrence

b

: anything derived from one's father or ancestors : heritage

These historic landmarks are an important part of our cultural patrimony.

2

: an estate or endowment belonging by ancient right to a church

canon law … aims at conserving the patrimony of the diocese

—T. J. Reese

patrimonial

ˌpa-trə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bequest
• birthright
• heritage
• inheritance
• legacy

Examples of patrimony in a Sentence

These historic landmarks are an important part of our cultural patrimony.

her patrimony was the family's newspaper business

Recent Examples on the Web

In the most profoundly general sense, the very enactment of this legislation reflected and represented a monumental shift in the power relationships between museums and Native communities and their cultural patrimony. —Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024

The family eventually registered the work with Italy’s patrimony police. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024

Finally, last month Cinzia Altieri, a graphologist for a patrimony court in Milan, was able to certify the Picasso signature as authentic. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 2 Oct. 2024

Fashion, as much as anything, has been part of France’s patrimony and identity in the world. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English patrimoine, patrimonie, from Anglo-French patremoine, from Latin patrimonium, from patr-, pater father

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

patrimony

noun

pat·​ri·​mo·​ny ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē 

plural patrimonies

1

: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors

2

: something passed down from one's father or ancestors : heritage

patrimonial

ˌpa-trə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

adjective

Legal Definition

patrimony

noun

pat·​ri·​mo·​ny ˈpa-trə-ˌmō-nē 

plural patrimonies

1

: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor

to deprive her and her coheirs of their patrimony

—Wells Fargo Bank v. Kincaid, 260 Cal. App. 2d 120 (1968)

2

: an estate or endowment belonging to a church

the property of a dissolved parish shall pass to the patrimony of the diocese

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : the net assets of a person : the sum of a person's assets and liabilities

reimbursement shall be made from the patrimony of the spouse who owes reimbursement

—Louisiana Civil Code

Etymology

Middle French patrimonie, from Latin patrimonium, from patr-, pater father