heirloom

American  

[air-loom] / ˈɛərˌlum /

noun

• heirlooms
  plural

1. a family possession handed down from generation to generation.

2. Law. property neither personal nor real that descends to the heir of an estate as part of the real property.

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adjective

1. noting or relating to an old plant variety that is being cultivated again.

   heirloom vegetables and fruits.

heirloom British  

/ ˈɛəˌluːm /

noun

1. an object that has been in a family for generations

2. property law a chattel inherited by special custom or in accordance with the terms of a will

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• heirlooms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of heirloom

First recorded in 1375–1425, heirloom is from the late Middle English word heirlome. See heir, loom ¹

Explanation

An heirloom is something passed down in a family for generations. Your grandma's prized necklace could be an heirloom. If you know that an heir is a younger person in a family who will inherit things when relatives die, you have a clue to the meaning of heirloom. An heirloom is a special thing that's handed down, sometimes through a will, but often just from person to person. A portrait of an ancestor could be an heirloom. Many families pass down heirloom jewelry. If you hear someone say, "This belonged to my great-great-grandfather" they're probably talking about an heirloom.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heirloom heirlooms

A woman carrying two heirloom tomatoes could still plausibly claim to be shopping for dinner.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

Bartlett green pears and heirloom tomatoes, $24 to $40.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

He grows about 60 different crops, including herbs such as rosemary and thyme, heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, and pick-your-own strawberries and flowers.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

For all of us watching at home—while the show makes stops around the homeland—it offers more than just vicarious joy at learning someone’s family heirloom really is a treasure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

Everything feels different now, thanks to an heirloom Porsche that I destroyed.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Although the house is older, needs repairs, and is filled with family heirlooms, I have no idea what to do with it.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026

Glover has said he will take with him a Bible, his wedding rings and family heirlooms, along with a collection of inspirational quotations compiled by Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart.

From BBC ● Mar. 30, 2026

“People my age are taking an interest in having heirlooms and traditional items,” Van Hulsen says as she points to a silver-plated trinket tray that holds her jewelry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

But for more people every year, it also means spending $7.50 and a few hours on a bag of Rancho Gordo dried heirlooms and turning a bunch of pebbles into dinner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026

It has been treasured by his heirs when all other heirlooms were lost; for it was spoken of old among us that it should be made again when the Ring, Isildur’s Bane, was found.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• antique