heirloom

[ air-loom ]

noun

1. a family possession handed down from generation to generation.
2. Law. property neither personal nor real that descends to the heir of an estate as part of the real property.

adjective

1. noting or relating to an old plant variety that is being cultivated again: Compare heritage ( def 6 ).

   heirloom vegetables and fruits.

heirloom

/ ˈɛəˌluːm /

noun

1. an object that has been in a family for generations
2. property law a chattel inherited by special custom or in accordance with the terms of a will

Word History and Origins

Origin of heirloom¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, heirloom is from the late Middle English word heirlome. See heir, loom ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of heirloom¹

C15: from heir + lome tool; see loom ¹

Example Sentences

He gets a new lease on life when he’s tapped by a private investigator to go undercover at a San Francisco retirement home to dig into the theft of a missing heirloom.

From Los Angeles Times

Adapted from August Wilson's play, a brother and sister disagree over what to do with a family heirloom piano in 1920s Pittsburgh.

From BBC

Those who love it, like the Cockney Modern Festival organisers, say it is an artisan food with recipes handed down throughout generations "like precious family heirlooms".

From BBC

Set in 1936 Pittsburgh in the aftermath of the Great Depression, the Netflix film follows a brother and sister who disagree about what to do with a family heirloom piano they have inherited.

From BBC

Matt Fustini, who lives in the town of Largo, has never evacuated before, but this time is prepared to leave with the bare essentials: cash, fuel, insulin for his diabetic mother and irreplaceable family heirlooms.

From BBC

Related Words

• antique