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

Then I made a beeline for the heirloom tomatoes.

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

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

“I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial,” she wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 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

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

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

As a lifelong Altadenan, Swayne regularly bears witness to the unimaginable devastation across his community, and understands how painful the loss of homes, businesses, prized possessions and family heirlooms can be.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 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

Related Words

• antique