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Definition of inheritance

inheritance

/ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns/
in · her · i · tance
Plural:inheritances
•
Adjective:inheritable
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inheritance Lexical Profile

inheritance Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Money, property, or other assets that are received from someone who has died; the action of receiving such property as an heir.

Example

"She used her inheritance to pay off her student loans and purchase a modest home."

2

The genetic transmission of physical or mental characteristics from parents to offspring.

Example

"Gregor Mendel discovered the fundamental laws of genetic inheritance by studying pea plants."

3

Cultural traditions, values, or historical achievements passed down from previous generations.

Example

"The city's diverse architectural styles reflect its rich cultural inheritance."

4

In object-oriented programming, a mechanism by which a new class derives properties and behaviors from an existing parent class.

Example

"Using inheritance allows software developers to reuse code across multiple related classes."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for inheritance

• Nearby Words

inherit
inheritable
inheritably
inheritance
inheritor
inhibit
inhibited

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Anglo-French 'enheritaunce', derived from the Old French verb 'enheriter' (to make someone an heir), which traces back to Late Latin 'inhereditare' and Latin 'heres' (heir).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Inheritance. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/inheritance
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