ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Inherit

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ɪnˈhɛɹɪt/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Inherit is a verb meaning (transitive) To receive (property, a title, etc.), by legal succession or bequest after the previous owner's death.

Meaning

(transitive) To receive (property, a title, etc.), by legal succession or bequest after the previous owner's death.

More Meanings

  1. (transitive) To take possession of as a right (especially in Biblical translations).
  2. (transitive, biology) To receive a characteristic from one's ancestors by genetic transmission.
  3. (transitive) To derive from people or conditions previously in force.
  4. (computing, programming, transitive) To derive (existing functionality) from a superclass.
  5. (computing, programming, transitive) To derive a new class from (a superclass).
  6. (transitive, obsolete) To put in possession of.

Example Sentences

This, or else nothing, will inherit her
Your descendants will inherit the earth.
After Grandad died, I inherited the house.
This country has inherited an invidious class culture.

Word Forms

Antonyms for inherit

Common opposites include bequeath, leave.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include heir, heritage, inheritance, legacy, heirloom, estate.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.