legacy

[leg-uh-see]

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.

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 of or relating to old or outdated computer hardware, software, or data that, while still functional, does not work well with up-to-date systems.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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of legacy¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of legacy¹

C14 (meaning: office of a legate), C15 (meaning: bequest): from Medieval Latin lēgātia commission; see _legate

Example Sentences

"Spo is not only an outstanding coach, but a great colleague, friend and father, all of which make him the perfect choice to continue the USA Basketball men's national team coaching legacy through 2028."

Read more on Barron's

If legacy media wants to be trusted again, it should return to the professionalism and principles that once made it the go-to source for every American.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind,” his family added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His family said on Tuesday that the singer was leaving behind a "legacy of extraordinarily moving music" and asked fans to celebrate “the gift of song that he has left for the world”.

Read more on BBC

New legislation to implement a new UK-Irish deal addressing Troubles legacy issues is set to be introduced at Westminster later on Tuesday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• estate 
• gift 
• tradition