heritage

American  

[her-i-tij] / ˈhɛr ɪ tɪdʒ /

noun

• heritages
  plural

1. 

   something that is handed down from the past, as a tradition.

   a national heritage of honor, pride, and courage.

2. something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion.

   a heritage of poverty and suffering.

   Synonyms:

   patrimony, estate

3. something reserved for one.

   the heritage of the righteous.

4. Law.

   1. something that has been or may be inherited by legal descent or succession.

   2. any property, especially land, that devolves by right of inheritance.

---

adjective

1. 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.

2. noting or relating to an older, traditional breed of animal or plant.

   raising pure-breed heritage hogs.

heritage British  

/ ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ /

noun

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

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

3. 1. the evidence of the past, such as historical sites, buildings, and the unspoilt natural environment, considered collectively as the inheritance of present-day society

   2. ( as modifier; cap. as part of name )

      Bannockburn Heritage Centre

4. something that is reserved for a particular person or group or the outcome of an action, way of life, etc

   the sea was their heritage

   the heritage of violence

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

6. Bible

   1. the Israelites regarded as belonging inalienably to God

   2. the land of Canaan regarded as God's gift to the Israelites

---

Synonym Usage

See inheritance.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• heritages
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of heritage

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Middle French, from herit(er) “to inherit” + -age -age; see heir

---

Explanation

Heritage can refer to practices or characteristics that are passed down through the years, from one generation to the next. Researching your family tree would help you gain a sense of your personal heritage. Heritage is often used to discuss a cultural aspect or tradition that has been passed down through generations. For example, one might speak of an area’s "rich musical heritage.” Heritage can also refer to a person's ethnic or cultural background. In a legal sense, heritage is property that you inherit, like a silver teapot your great aunt Sally left to you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heritage heritages

"The south of Scotland has so much heritage and it is a passion of mine," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

The dogs are also an important national symbol, having been officially designated part of Peru's cultural heritage in 2000.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

"I would like to think we could go back to the local schools across the region and try and explain that there are other careers out there including in heritage and tourism," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

The Orthodox have missed Rome’s ability to coordinate, its missionary zeal, its indefatigability in serving the needy, and its intellectual heritage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Any person of color recognized his Ethiopian heritage immediately.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

The stockpile, which has since risen in value, adds Wyoming to a growing cohort of states, including some with mining heritages, looking to add precious metal to their investment portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026

It was one of the artefacts that launched an online campaign to highlight women's roles in pre-colonial communities - and revive cultural heritages almost erased by colonialism.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2025

“Only in America,” Harris said, was it possible for two people of such different backgrounds and heritages to join together to make it “all the way” to the White House.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2024

Even the Moscow Art Theatre, from which Chekhov’s plays emerged, has recognized that heritages need to be reinvented.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024

Similarly, with "freedom of contract," "freedom of the seas," military service, bi-cameral systems, party caucuses, presidential veto, and all the other political and social heritages of the past.

From Human Traits and their Social Significance by Irwin Edman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• ancestry
• culture
• custom
• legacy
• right
• tradition

---