bequeath

American  

[bih-kweeth, -kweeth] / bɪˈkwiθ, -ˈkwið /

verb (used with object)

1. to dispose of (personal property, especially money) by last will.

   She bequeathed her half of the company to her niece.

   Synonyms:

   consign, grant, bestow, leave, impart, will

2. to hand down; pass on.

3. Obsolete. to commit; entrust.

---

bequeath British  

/ bɪˈkwiːð, -ˈkwiːθ /

verb

1. law to dispose of (property, esp personal property) by will Compare devise

2. to hand down; pass on, as to following generations

---

Other Word Forms

• bequeathable adjective
• bequeathal noun
• bequeather noun
• bequeathment noun
• unbequeathable adjective

Etymology

Origin of bequeath

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bequethen, Old English becwethan ( be- be- + cwethan “to say” ( quoth ), cognate with Old High German quedan, Gothic qithan )

Example Sentences

If you bequeath a Roth, heirs’ withdrawals are tax-free.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

But a time-tested made-in-Italy pedigree and solid-metal build make the Marcato the sort of tool you bequeath to your grandkids.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

If your friend has a valuable piece of jewelry she may wish to bequeath those to a sister or aunt or niece.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

Brandi Schmitt is director of the anatomical donation programme at the University of California, a popular destination for people wishing to bequeath their bodies.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

Eva’s last child, Plum, to whom she hoped to bequeath everything, floated in a constant swaddle of love and affection, until 1917 when he went to war.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• bestow
• entrust
• hand down
• impart
• pass on