inheritance

[ in-her-i-tuhns ]

noun

1. something that is or may be inherited; property passing at the owner's death to the heir or those entitled to succeed; legacy.

   Synonyms: bequest, patrimony

2. the genetic characters transmitted from parent to offspring, taken collectively.
3. something, as a quality, characteristic, or other immaterial possession, received from progenitors or predecessors as if by succession:

   an inheritance of family pride.

4. the act or fact of inheriting by succession, as if by succession, or genetically:

   to receive property by inheritance.

5. portion; birthright; heritage:

   Absolute rule was considered the inheritance of kings.

6. Obsolete. right of possession; ownership.

inheritance

/ ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns /

noun

1. law
   1. hereditary succession to an estate, title, etc
   2. the right of an heir to succeed to property on the death of an ancestor
   3. something that may legally be transmitted to an heir
2. the act of inheriting
3. something inherited; heritage
4. the derivation of characteristics of one generation from an earlier one by heredity
5. obsolete.
   hereditary rights

inheritance

/ ĭn-hĕr′ĭ-təns /

1. The process by which traits or characteristics pass from parents to offspring through the genes.

Other Words From

• prein·herit·ance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inheritance¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English enheritance, from Anglo-French; equivalent to inherit + -ance

Synonym Study

Inheritance, heritage denote something inherited. Inheritance is the common term for property or any possession that comes to an heir: He received the farm as an inheritance from his parents. Heritage indicates something that is bequeathed to a subsequent generation by an individual or by society: our cultural heritage from Greece and Rome.

Example Sentences

During Thursday's programme, which marked Morgan's first 100 days leading the Welsh government, the first minister also called for farmers to "calm down a bit" over changes to inheritance tax.

From BBC

Because same-sex marriage is not legal in China, she advises couples on other ways to obtain spousal rights such as inheritance and guardianship for medical procedures.

From Los Angeles Times

From April 2026, farms worth more than £1m will face an effective inheritance tax rate of 20% - half the usual rate of 40%.

From BBC

Wales' first minister has called for farmers to "calm down a bit" over changes to inheritance tax.

From BBC

A bid by the department for rural affairs to soften changes to inheritance tax for farms - possibly by exempting some older farmers - has been rejected by the Treasury.

From BBC

Related Words

• bequest
• estate
• heritage
• legacy