bequeath

verb

be·queath bi-ˈkwēth -ˈkwēt͟h

bē-

bequeathed; bequeathing; bequeaths

Synonyms of bequeath

transitive verb

: 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

: to hand down : transmit

lessons bequeathed to future generations

bequeathal

bi-ˈkwē-thəl

-t͟həl,

bē-

noun

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

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.

More than a century after a rare painting, recently attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was bequeathed to the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien in 1920, the painting, Portrait of an Old Man, will go on display on December 2, per reports. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026 Youthful ambition bequeathed them unpredictably shifting time signatures, a daunting nylon-string intro, some odd musical shifts during the guitar-solo section, and a long list of other complexities. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 As temple members met their gruesome death, documents bequeathing some $7 million to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were spirited out of Jonestown in a suitcase stuffed with cash. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Oftentimes people will bequeath money or belongings as a symbol of the strength of a relationship. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bequeath

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of bequeath was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

bepuzzle

bequeath

bequeathal

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bequeath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bequeath. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bequeath

verb

be·queath bi-ˈkwēth -ˈkwēt͟h

: to give or leave property by a will

: 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

bequeath

verb

Synonyms of bequeath

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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bequeath

verb

Synonyms of bequeath

Examples of bequeath in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for bequeath

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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