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

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Kyle said the government had been "forced to take" the decision "because of the inheritance that we had from the previous administration".

From BBC

The government argues existing inheritance tax isn’t fair or sustainable – as everyone else sufficiently well off to pay it is charged 40% and farmers are charged nothing.

From BBC

Mr Barton said the government's attempts to target the wealthiest landowners who were investing in farms to avoid inheritance tax could see small farms like his ultimately sold off.

From BBC

A Welsh farmer has had sleepless nights and been left feeling "angry and scared" since changes to inheritance tax rules were announced.

From BBC

But he says the Budget announcement ending APR on inheritance tax has ended that.

From BBC

Related Words

• bequest
• estate
• heritage
• legacy