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.

---

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

---

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

There’s something about an apple orchard that’s just suffused with nostalgia, especially if the trees bear heirloom fruits.

From Slate ● Oct. 24, 2026

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

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 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

After that formative bowl, he founded Rancho Gordo in 2001 and hustled to get heirloom beans in front of anyone willing to try them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026

He rarely says anything other than "Good job, Chantal," but I'm always aware of his eyes on my technique as I drive the Larsen family heirloom.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

If you haven’t noticed, recent months have been replete with stories of heirlooms being walked out of poorly secured French museums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

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

And so they walk away from family heirlooms, basic necessities, and the vital documents required to rebuild their lives.

From Salon ● Mar. 4, 2026

Another victim, Anna Woodman, believes she lost thousands of pounds worth of items in total, including jewellery, heirlooms and sound equipment.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

Several years ago, I was going through my family heirlooms when I came across a manuscript that was assumed to be a novel written by my great-great-great-grandfather.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• antique

---