heir

American  

[air] / ɛər /

noun

1. a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death.

2. Law.

   1. (in common law) a person who inherits all the property of a deceased person, as by descent, relationship, will, or legal process.

   2. Civil Law.  a person who legally succeeds to the place of a deceased person and assumes the rights and obligations of the deceased, as the liabilities for debts or the possessory rights to property.

3. a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit the rank, title, position, etc., of another.

4. a person or group considered as inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor.

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verb (used with object)

1. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.  to inherit; succeed to.

heir British  

/ ɛə /

noun

1. civil law the person legally succeeding to all property of a deceased person, irrespective of whether such person died testate or intestate, and upon whom devolves as well as the rights the duties and liabilities attached to the estate

2. any person or thing that carries on some tradition, circumstance, etc, from a forerunner

3. an archaic word for offspring

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Other Word Forms

• heirless adjective

Etymology

Origin of heir

1225–75; Middle English eir, heir < Old French < Latin hērēd- (stem of hērēs ); akin to Greek chêros bereaved

Example Sentences

Whatever he did not spend during his lifetime would be passed down to his heirs.

From MarketWatch

Yes, he was 88, but the Czech-born, British playwright, the true 20th century heir to Oscar Wilde, would never have arranged things so banally.

From Los Angeles Times

Surprise heirs like Thomas are popping up because of DNA test kits, lawyers say, and wreaking havoc for families handling their loved ones’ estates.

From The Wall Street Journal

AIG is paying him $2.7 million under a “mutual agreement” that he forfeit a coveted role as its heir apparent, according to securities filings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bankers, estate lawyers and money managers for the superrich said they are increasingly establishing complex trusts for heirs and helping families navigate thorny money conversations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beneficiary
• inheritor
• scion
• successor