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heritage

[ her-i-tij ]

/ ˈhɛr ɪ tɪdʒ /

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noun

something that is handed down from the past, as a tradition: a national heritage of honor, pride, and courage.

something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion: a heritage of poverty and suffering.

something reserved for one: the heritage of the righteous.

Law.

something that has been or may be inherited by legal descent or succession.
any property, especially land, that devolves by right of inheritance.

adjective

noting or relating to a product, place, etc., that evokes a nostalgic sense of tradition or history: visitors to a heritage site in the Middle East.

noting or relating to an older, traditional breed of animal or plant: raising pure-breed heritage hogs.Compare heirloom (def. 3).

OTHER WORDS FOR heritage

2 estate, patrimony.

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VIDEO FOR HERITAGE

What Is The Difference Between "Heritage" And "Inheritance"?

While inheritance and heritage may seem similar, and the definitions do have some overlap, there is a distinct difference.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of heritage

1175–1225; Middle English, from Middle French, equivalent to heriter to inherit + -age -age; see heir

synonym study for heritage

2. See inheritance.

Words nearby heritage

Hergesheimer, Hering, heriot, Herisau, heritable, heritage, heritage language, heritage learner, heritage speaker, heritance, heritor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use heritage in a sentence

Rio Tinto Group Chief Executive Officer Jean-Sebastien Jacques will step down amid an investor backlash over the destruction of ancient Aboriginal heritage sites in Australia.
The CEO of mining giant Rio Tinto is forced out following the destruction of an ancient archeological site|Bernhard Warner|September 11, 2020|Fortune
One recent study estimates that only 1% of research on the impacts of climate change on heritage is related to Africa.
Some of Africa’s most important heritage sites will be lost to climate change without intervention|Nick Brooks|August 20, 2020|Quartz
The movement has been led by young Kumeyaay women, who say the government has ignored evidence of the cultural heritage sites they’re now building over.
Border Report: Kumeyaay Band Sues to Stop Border Wall Construction|Maya Srikrishnan|August 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Minnesota spends around $39 million on the arts and cultural heritage every year.
Can the Arts Save Rural America From the Recession?|Charu Kasturi|August 16, 2020|Ozy

Jim accidentally pinned a young bicyclist between the bumper of his Chevy C10 and a heritage oak in Palo Alto, California.
When Jesus Freaks Go Bad|Eugene Robinson|August 6, 2020|Ozy
However, being of Arab heritage and Muslim, I'd really love to see an Arab or Muslim James Bond.
Rush Limbaugh’s Fear of a Black James Bond|Dean Obeidallah|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are six UNESCO biosphere reserves and nine UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Goodbye, Bahamas. Hello, Havana!|Clive Irving|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An Australian woman in her late twenties told me she was an “honorary Jew” with no actual Jewish heritage.
I Ate Potato Pancakes Til I Plotzed|Emily Shire|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A more recent phenomenon in the political universe is politicians of Hispanic heritage who are not fluent in Spanish.
Which Potential Candidates Speak Spanish—and Will It Matter?|Eleanor Clift|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Virtually all the southwestern gangs of Mexican heritage (Surenos or Southsiders) are under their control.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs|Seth Ferranti|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew that there was cardiac trouble in his family, but he had never realized before the meaning of his heritage.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
It was only Dutch, a foolish charm, a heritage of barbarity and ignorance, but I was too weary to protest.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
A desire for happiness is our common heritage, he was saying in his richly melodious voice.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa
God has given the American people a goodly heritage—the fairest the world has ever seen.
Portrait and Biography of Parson Brownlow, The Tennessee Patriot|William Gannaway Brownlow
And if the monumental record of their virtues be a just one, why did they heirloom on posterity this bitter heritage of swearing?
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman

British Dictionary definitions for heritage

heritage

/ (ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ) /

noun

something inherited at birth, such as personal characteristics, status, and possessions

anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition

the evidence of the past, such as historical sites, buildings, and the unspoilt natural environment, considered collectively as the inheritance of present-day society
(as modifier; cap. as part of name)Bannockburn Heritage Centre

something that is reserved for a particular person or group or the outcome of an action, way of life, etcthe sea was their heritage; the heritage of violence

law any property, esp land, that by law has descended or may descend to an heir

Bible

the Israelites regarded as belonging inalienably to God
the land of Canaan regarded as God's gift to the Israelites

Word Origin for heritage

C13: from Old French; see heir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012