inherit
verb
in·her·it in-ˈher-ət 
-ˈhe-rət
inherited; inheriting; inherits
transitive verb
1
a
: to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death
b
: to receive as a devise or legacy
2
: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission
inherit a defective enzyme
3
: to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor
inherited the problem from his predecessor
4
: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion
and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life 
Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)
Matthew 19:29 (Revised Standard Version)intransitive verb
: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance
inheritor
in-ˈher-ə-tər
noun -ˈhe-rə-
inheritress
in-ˈher-ə-trəs
noun -ˈhe-rə-
or inheritrix
in-ˈher-ə-(ˌ)triks
-ˈhe-rə-
Example Sentences
She inherited the family business from her father. Baldness is inherited from the mother's side of the family. She inherited her father's deep blue eyes. She inherited a love of baseball from her dad. When my brother left for college, I inherited his old computer. The company's new president will inherit some complicated legal problems. When the coach quit, her assistant inherited a last-place team. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Peter was born in November 1977, and did not inherit a royal title. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 But Prince Charles still won’t directly inherit the $28 billion empire which includes the estate of Scotland, the Crown Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall, and the Buckingham and Kensington Palaces. Kaitlyn Koterbski, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 But what about those in our society who did not inherit generational wealth? CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 In the show, Kamala doesn’t inherit an existing mantle. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 The meek may well inherit the earth, but it’s the nerds of tomorrow that will get us to Mars. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2022 But following the passage of Issue 24 last November, the review board will inherit disciplinary authority over the public safety department. cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 However, a new owner would inherit a raft of issues. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 One of those hosts, former View panelist and actress Sherri Shepherd, would eventually inherit the vacant slot with her own talk show. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 But Prince Charles still won’t directly inherit the $28 billion empire which includes the estate of Scotland, the Crown Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall, and the Buckingham and Kensington Palaces. Kaitlyn Koterbski, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2022 But what about those in our society who did not inherit generational wealth? CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 In the show, Kamala doesn’t inherit an existing mantle. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 The meek may well inherit the earth, but it’s the nerds of tomorrow that will get us to Mars. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2022 But following the passage of Issue 24 last November, the review board will inherit disciplinary authority over the public safety department. cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 However, a new owner would inherit a raft of issues. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 One of those hosts, former View panelist and actress Sherri Shepherd, would eventually inherit the vacant slot with her own talk show. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English enheriten "to give (a person) right of inheritance, make (a person) heir, come into possession of as an heir," borrowed from Anglo-French enheriter, going back to Late Latin inhērēditāre "to appoint as heir," from Latin in- in- entry 2 + Late Latin hērēditāre "to leave as an inheritance, inherit, make an heir" — more at heritage
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4
Kids Definition
inherit
verb
in·her·it in-ˈher-ət
inherited; inheriting
1
: to get by legal right from a person at his or her death
2
: to get by heredity
I inherited red hair.
Medical Definition
inherit
transitive verb
in·her·it in-ˈher-ət
: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission
Legal Definition
inherit
verb
in·her·it in-ˈher-it
transitive verb
1
: to receive (property) from an estate by operation of the laws of intestacy
broadly : to receive (property) either by will or through intestate succession
2
: succeed
intransitive verb
: to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance
inherited
adjective
as in inheritable
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring hair color is inherited Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inheritable
- hereditary
- genetic
- inherent
- inborn
- heritable
- genetical
- congenital
- innate
- inbred
- native
- natural
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- acquired
- nonhereditary