legatee

[ leg-uh-tee ]

noun

1. a person to whom a legacy is bequeathed.

legatee

/ ˌlɛɡəˈtiː /

noun

1. a person to whom a legacy is bequeathed Compare devisee

Word History and Origins

Origin of legatee¹

1670–80; < Latin lēgāt ( us ) ( legate ) + -ee

Example Sentences

She wore white, the color of the suffragette movement, of which Pelosi was a legatee and enormous champion.

From Los Angeles Times

“How can you say that?” he asked, noting that Cheney had opposed same-sex marriage and was a legatee of the father of the Iraq War.

From Washington Post

In this respect, Trump is but the crude, know-nothing legatee of a regressive process long in the making.

From The Guardian

Republicans, after George W. Bush’s presidency, did not flock to him for advice or run as his legatee.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite some obvious gains, we are still pecking away at systemic issues and deep-seated beliefs that have been bequeathed to present-day legatees.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• holder
• landowner
• partner
• proprietor