legacy

American  

[leg-uh-see] / ˈlɛg ə si /

noun

plural

legacies

1. Law. a gift of property, especially personal property, such as money, by will; a bequest.

   Synonyms:

   inheritance

2. anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.

   the legacy of ancient Rome.

   Synonyms:

   inheritance

3. an applicant to or student at the alma mater of their parent or parents.

   As a legacy, he worried that professors would expect him to be less qualified than his peers.

4. Obsolete. the office, function, or commission of a legate.

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adjective

1. of or relating to old or outdated computer hardware, software, or data that, while still functional, does not work well with up-to-date systems.

   Legacy systems put you at greater risk of cyberattacks.

2. of or relating to an existing system, process, or state of affairs inherited from the past and typically a burden.

   legacy pollutants;

   a legacy drainage system.

3. being or relating to a university applicant or student whose parent or other close relative attended the same school.

   The admissions policies of most Ivy League schools favor legacy applicants.

legacy British  

/ ˈlɛɡəsɪ /

noun

1. a gift by will, esp of money or personal property

2. something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor

3. (modifier) surviving computer systems, hardware, or software

   legacy network

   legacy application

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Etymology

Origin of legacy

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English legacie “office of a deputy or legate,” from Medieval Latin lēgātia, from Latin lēgāt(us) “deputy” ( legate ) + -ia, noun suffix ( -acy )

Example Sentences

"She leaves behind a legacy of courage that helped change the course of American history," said a statement from the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation, which announced her death.

From BBC

The legacy carrier beat Wall Street forecasts for adjusted earnings and revenue in the fourth quarter, but issued 2026 guidance that missed expectations.

From Barron's

Another rarely discussed — but hugely important — legacy of that tournament is the foundation it created in terms of experience and expertise.

From Los Angeles Times

His somewhat abrasive personality will be forgotten, while his designs remain a legacy for the ages, a lasting tribute to a modest Jewish Canadian who became a titan of our era.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We are his legacy. He was so proud of us and so proud to work with us,” she said, adding “he would probably say that was his greatest life’s accomplishments — to have us.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• estate
• gift
• tradition