bequest

American  

[bih-kwest] / bɪˈkwɛst /

noun

• bequests
  plural

1. a disposition in a will.

2. a legacy.

   A small bequest allowed her to live independently.

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bequest British  

/ bɪˈkwɛst /

noun

1. 1. the act of bequeathing

   2. something that is bequeathed

2. law a gift of property by will, esp personal property Compare devise devise

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bequests
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bequest

1250–1300; Middle English biqueste, biquyste, equivalent to bi- be- + quiste will, bequest, Old English -cwis ( se ) (with excrescent t, as in behest ), noun derivative of cwethan to say; on the model of bequethen bequeath

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Explanation

When you receive some kind of gift, be it money or property, through a will, that gift is known as a bequest. Your aunt left you a bequest of the earrings she always thought you admired. The noun bequest is something one arranges to give away after death, sort of a gift from beyond the grave. Basically, putting a bequest in a will is a way of making sure the right person will get certain goods after your death. If you are very wealthy, universities and charitable organizations may court you in an attempt to gain bequests for their institutions.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bequest bequests

A payable-on-death designation is a contract with the bank, rather than a bequest, and that share can bypass probate.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

The will leaves me a small bequest, along with gifts to several other people whom I don’t know.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Since you wouldn’t have to worry about running out of money in old age, you might travel the world, buy a sports car, or gift an early bequest to heirs.

From Barron's ● May 21, 2026

Their care was funded by great commercial wealth—among the most compelling characters here is the man whose bequest first financed the Innocenti: Francesco Datini, a preposterously wealthy, libidinous and melancholy-prone merchant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025

The last bequest was for Loomis Toy, “the sum of fifty dollars in appreciation of his loyal service to the store and my family.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

People who leave charities donations, legacies and bequests in their wills make noticeable differences to organisations, no matter what the amount is, sector leaders say.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Reverse mortgages unlock wealth while overcoming the costs and emotional aspects of selling a house, but they can put a serious dent in bequests as fees and interest add up.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

Examples assume 5% annual inflation-adjusted stock-market return, 2% annual inflation-adjusted risk-free interest rate and no planned bequests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026

Gold bars, rings and necklaces can be handed down to the next generation as wedding gifts or inheritance bequests.

From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026

There are a number of ancient bequests for ringing bells and lighting beacons to guide travellers by night.

From England in the Days of Old by William Andrews

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Related Words

• endowment
• inheritance

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