scion

[ sahy-uhn ]

noun

1. a descendant or heir, especially of a wealthy or powerful family:

   She's a familiar face in this Wyoming town, the third-generation scion of a cattle-ranching family.

   The two men were scions of the most powerful dynasties in the world.

   Synonyms: progeny, offshoot, issue, child

2. Sometimes ci·on. a shoot or twig, especially one cut for grafting or planting; a cutting.

scion

/ ˈsaɪən /

noun

1. a descendant, heir, or young member of a family
2. a shoot or twig of a plant used to form a graft

scion

/ sī′ən /

1. A detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scion¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English: “shoot, twig,” from Old French cion, from Frankish kī- (unrecorded) + Old French -on, noun suffix; compare Old English cīnan, Old Saxon kīnan, Old High German chīnan “to sprout,” Old English cīth, Old Saxon kīth “sprout”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scion¹

C14: from Old French cion, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German chīnan to sprout

Example Sentences

In August, Robert Kennedy Jr. — scion of one of the nation’s most storied Democratic families — announced he was dropping his long-shot bid for president and endorsing Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re hedge fund operators, cryptocurrency and AI promoters, scions of and heirs to family fortunes, and others who have it all and want to keep it all.

From Los Angeles Times

But the sort of memeification of tragedy, in which it's haphazardly cast into a nebulous scion of the “dark humor” genre, feels an altogether ethical sticky terrain.

From Salon

Tech scion David Ellison intends to be the new chief executive of Paramount Global.

From Los Angeles Times

Early in Tuesday’s proceedings, the convention heard admonitions from scions of two Democratic presidents that Harris will carry on the legacies of John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heir