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inheritor

American  
[in-her-i-ter] / ɪnˈhɛr ɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person who inherits; heir.


Etymology

Origin of inheritor

First recorded in 1400–50, inheritor is from the late Middle English word enheritour, enheriter. See inherit, -or 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The nizam’s court, with its sumptuous palaces, its concubines, its rituals and recitations of poetry and music, was the chief inheritor of the archaic grandeur of the moguls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

“CP3 is the inheritor of the primary and founding mission of DHS — to prevent terrorism,” Braniff wrote on LinkedIn when he announced his resignation.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

Many argue she should also be seen and recognised as the descendant of another kind of family and that is the inheritor of generations of black female activists.

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2024

“Changing a name does not change the roots,” she said, adding when asked, “yes, also an inheritor of Petain,” referring to Marshall Philippe Petain, who headed the collaborationist Vichy government in WWII.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023

But that doesn’t mean I am the inheritor of that power.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black