inheritance

noun

in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
-ˈhe-rə-
Synonyms of inheritance
1
: something that is or may be inherited
2
a
: the act of inheriting property
b
: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring
c
: the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations
3
a
: tradition
b
: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature
4
obsolete : possession

Synonyms of inheritance

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Examples of inheritance in a Sentence

She began her own business with the inheritance she got from her grandfather. He left sizable inheritances to his children. The buildings are part of the city's architectural inheritance. the inheritance of an estate the inheritance of a genetic trait
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.
That can mean sharing the story of how the family built its wealth, including the sacrifices involved, teaching budgeting and investing early, and involving children in charitable decisions long before any inheritance is on the table. — Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Deed theft often exploits grief, financial distress, inheritance disputes and the limited resources of older homeowners. — Landon Dais, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 As if that weren’t enough, inheritance (or estate) taxes, that other pillar of Rooseveltian reforms to corral oligarchs, soon had their turn in the barrel. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 Tirtha Rabin Lawati The series Sakela at United Gurkha Academy is a project about cultural inheritance. — Photovogue, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inheritance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enheritaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French enheritance, from enheriter "to give (a person) right of inheritance, inherit" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inheritance was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing inheritance

Browse Nearby Words

inheritage
inheritance
inheritance tax
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inheritance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inheritance. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inheritance

noun
in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
1
: the act of inheriting
2
: something that is or may be inherited

Medical Definition

inheritance

noun
in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
1
: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring
2
: all of the genetic characters or qualities transmitted from parent to offspring compare genotype sense 2, phenotype

Legal Definition

inheritance

noun
in·​her·​i·​tance in-ˈher-ə-təns How to pronounce inheritance (audio)
1
: the act of inheriting: as
a
: the acquisition of real or personal property under the laws of intestacy or sometimes by will
b
: the succession upon the death of an owner either by will or by operation of law to all the estate, rights, and liabilities of the decedent
2
a
: something that is or may be inherited
b
: something to which one is entitled as heir
increasing the son's potential inheritance under [the] will—Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)

More from Merriam-Webster on inheritance

Nglish: Translation of inheritance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inheritance

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