presumptive heir

noun

, Law.

1. heir presumptive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptive heir¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

You'll recall that back in 2015, McCarthy was the presumptive heir to Speaker John Boehner — who was essentially forced out by the right-wing fringe — but shot off his mouth in spectacularly dumb fashion, earning the ire of the House Freedom Caucus.

From Salon

King Viserys Targaryen’s younger brother and presumptive heir — or so he believes.

From Los Angeles Times

Historians determined that the shield once belonged to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the presumptive heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, whose assassination by a Serbian nationalist in 1914 set off World War I.

From New York Times

His third wife bore a son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, who is believed to live near the king in Germany and is the presumptive heir to the throne.

From Los Angeles Times

Reagan was the presumptive heir to Goldwater’s legacy, according to historians.

From Fox News