inheritance
noun
in·her·i·tance
in-ˈher-ə-tən(t)s 
-ˈhe-rə-
1
: something that is or may be inherited
2
a
: the act of inheriting property
b
: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring
c
: the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations
3
a
b
: a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature
4
obsolete
: possession
Examples of inheritance in a Sentence
She began her own business with the inheritance she got from her grandfather.
He left sizable inheritances to his children.
The buildings are part of the city's architectural inheritance.
the inheritance of an estate
the inheritance of a genetic trait
Recent Examples on the Web
Enpass does not currently offer any password inheritance or other emergency access features, which would facilitate the transfer of your credentials and other valuable information in the event of your untimely demise.
—
PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
So, did Alex check all of the items off the list and receive her mystery inheritance?
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Alex must finish the entire list by New Year’s to claim the inheritance.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Governments in the West derive considerable revenue from taxes on investment gains, inheritances and real estate.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
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PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
So, did Alex check all of the items off the list and receive her mystery inheritance?
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Alex must finish the entire list by New Year’s to claim the inheritance.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Governments in the West derive considerable revenue from taxes on investment gains, inheritances and real estate.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inheritance
Cite this Entry
“Inheritance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inheritance. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inheritance
noun
in·her·i·tance
in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s
1
: the act of inheriting
2
: something that is or may be inherited
Medical Definition
inheritance
noun
in·her·i·tance
in-ˈher-ət-ən(t)s
1
: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring
2
: all of the genetic characters or qualities transmitted from parent to offspring compare genotype sense 2, phenotype
Legal Definition
inheritance
noun
in·her·i·tance
in-ˈher-ə-təns
1
: the act of inheriting: as
a
: the acquisition of real or personal property under the laws of intestacy or sometimes by will
b
: the succession upon the death of an owner either by will or by operation of law to all the estate, rights, and liabilities of the decedent
2
a
: something that is or may be inherited
b
: something to which one is entitled as heir
increasing the son's potential inheritance under [the] will—Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)
Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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