bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

bē-

bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

transitive verb

1

: to give or leave by will (see will entry 2 sense 1)

—used especially of personal property

a ring bequeathed to her by her grandmother

2

: to hand down : transmit

lessons bequeathed to future generations

bequeathal

bi-ˈkwē-thəl 

-t͟həl

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• leave
• will

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

He bequeathed his paintings to the museum.

Lessons of the past are bequeathed to future generations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The home was bequeathed to the Currier Museum of Art and is now available for tours. —Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024

Nothing was bequeathed to her sheerly on her promise. —Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024

Above all, the Trump administration would bequeath a stock of leverage to its successor. —Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2020

It’s been a lucky 13 weeks now for Taylor Swift’s massive blockbuster atop the Billboard 200, as the set returned to the top spot in a slow release week after having bequeathed it to Eminem (The Death of Slim Shady) and Stray Kids (ATE), respectively, in the two prior frames. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bequethen, from Old English becwethan, from be- + cwethan to say — more at quoth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bequeath

verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth  -ˈkwēt͟h 

1

: to give or leave property by a will

2

: hand down sense 1

traditions bequeathed by our ancestors

bequeathal

-əl 

noun

Legal Definition

bequeath

transitive verb

be·​queath bi-ˈkwēth, -ˈkwēt͟h 

: to give by will

—used especially of personal property but sometimes of real property see also legacy, legatee compare devise

Etymology

Old English becwethan to speak to, address, leave by will, from be- to, about + cwethan to say