inheritance

American  

[in-her-i-tuhns] / ɪnˈhɛr ɪ təns /

noun

inheritances plural

1. something that is or may be inherited; property passing at the owner's death to the heir or those entitled to succeed; legacy.

   Synonyms:

   bequest, patrimony

2. the genetic characters transmitted from parent to offspring, taken collectively.

3. something, as a quality, characteristic, or other immaterial possession, received from progenitors or predecessors as if by succession.

   an inheritance of family pride.

4. the act or fact of inheriting by succession, as if by succession, or genetically.

   to receive property by inheritance.

5. portion; birthright; heritage.

   Absolute rule was considered the inheritance of kings.

6. Obsolete. right of possession; ownership.

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inheritance British  

/ ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns /

noun

1. law

   1. hereditary succession to an estate, title, etc

   2. the right of an heir to succeed to property on the death of an ancestor

   3. something that may legally be transmitted to an heir

2. the act of inheriting

3. something inherited; heritage

4. the derivation of characteristics of one generation from an earlier one by heredity

5. obsolete hereditary rights

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inheritance Scientific  

/ ĭn-hĕr′ĭ-təns /

1. The process by which traits or characteristics pass from parents to offspring through the genes.

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Synonym Usage

Inheritance, heritage denote something inherited. Inheritance is the common term for property or any possession that comes to an heir: He received the farm as an inheritance from his parents. Heritage indicates something that is bequeathed to a subsequent generation by an individual or by society: our cultural heritage from Greece and Rome.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preinheritance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inheritances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of inheritance

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English enheritance, from Anglo-French; equivalent to inherit + -ance

Explanation

Any money or property you receive after the death of a friend or relative is an inheritance. Your grandmother might have left you a small inheritance, but she left the bulk of her estate to her Chihuahua, Killer. A title that passes with death is also called an inheritance. If the current monarch of Britain dies, the inheritance passes to the next in line for the throne, first to the oldest son. A trait that is passed from parent to child genetically is also referred to as an inheritance. The inheritance of red hair, for example, might be common in your family.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inheritance inheritances

This inheritance presents a good opportunity to review your investments and your household budget.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

Although Burnham's legacy as Greater Manchester mayor is not without criticism there are several aspects of his inheritance that seem untouchable.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

It could face "fierce opposition" if that means people who would not have faced inheritance tax will now have their estates taxed, the paper adds.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

They also figure into your long-term plans in terms of gifting and inheritance.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

“Marriages and inheritance are matters for the king, my lady. I will write to Stannis on your behalf, but—” Alys Karstark laughed, but it was the laughter of despair.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

If I leave unequal inheritances, do I risk creating resentment among my nieces and nephews — and, perhaps more importantly, among my siblings?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

Then they leave substantial inheritances when recipients are in their 50s or 60s, decades after that money actually would have made the biggest impact.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

The Graybills are among a growing rank of parents who are forgoing inheritances in favor of doling out money to family while they are still alive to see it do some good.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Through a small pension, Social Security disability, several sizable inheritances and a paid-off home, she had enough money — if managed wisely — to live comfortably, though not extravagantly.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 29, 2026

The Randall sons managed their inheritances according to their temperaments.

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

Related Words

• bequest
• estate
• heritage
• legacy