posterity
Americannoun
-
succeeding or future generations collectively.
Judgment of this age must be left to posterity.
-
all descendants of one person.
His fortune was gradually dissipated by his posterity.
noun
-
future or succeeding generations
-
all of one's descendants
Etymology
Origin of posterity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English posterite, from Old French postérité, from Latin posteritāt-, stem of posteritās, noun derivative of posterus “coming after”; see posterior, -ity
Explanation
Posterity is a noun meaning "future generations." These people of the future could be your children and great-great grandchildren, or any people who are born after you. If you save something "for posterity," you're hoping that years later people will appreciate it, like a time capsule you bury in the yard. The word comes from the Latin word for "post, after." It's also related to the word posterior, which means "behind, to come after in time." In legal terms, posterity refers to the offspring of a person and it often has to do with inheriting property and who is entitled to do so.
Vocabulary lists containing posterity
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
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"On Women's Right to Vote" by Susan B. Anthony
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"Sonnet 55" by William Shakespeare
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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.
Posterity wasn’t going to glorify this series if the Kraken were bounced in five.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2023
Posterity was in mind, but we hope you enjoy it now.
From Golf Digest • Mar. 24, 2020
And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
From Washington Times • Jun. 28, 2018
Posterity is rarely kind to them: however they act, they will be accused of acting badly.
From The Guardian • Mar. 10, 2018
“Not yet, no. But there is still plenty of time. Posterity is vast.”
From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
