heir

[air]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

heir

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• heirless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heir¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heir¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin hērēs; related to Greek khēros bereaved

Example Sentences

But uncertainty surrounds the royal succession, with no public announcement of an heir to the current king -- among his seven children, four have been officially disowned.

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Lurie, 48 years old, a Democrat, is a first-time officeholder who drew on his wealth as an heir to the Levi’s fortune to help fund his campaign.

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Anxious to preserve the familial line—and their power—emperors would arrange strategic marriages or, if childless, adopt an heir.

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"Our father's name means so much to millions of people around the world," the heirs were quoted saying.

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He recounted traveling to Spain with a lawyer and a psychologist to visit the heir.

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Related Words

• beneficiary 
• inheritor 
• scion 
• successor