Dictionary meaning of the word heritage

: property that descends to an heir

: something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth : birthright

hospitality is a cherished Southern heritage

this farm is my heritage from my father, as it was for him from his father

Recent Examples on the Web

Biden uses Irish heritage for humor and empathy Biden reminds his audience of his Irish roots in almost any situation.


—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2023




This Easter, D’Silva is making beef murtabak at Restaurant Kin to celebrate Singapore’s heritage.


—Janelle Davis, CNN, 6 Apr. 2023




My Tongan heritage means everything to me.


—Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2023




Delicate wall tapestries showcase the region’s vineyard patterns, reflecting the city’s famous silk production heritage.


—James Barrett, Men’s Health, 6 Apr. 2023




Though the 2016 decision came in for criticism, many countries have similar laws forbidding the export of heritage artifacts—even if Kafka’s German manuscripts aren’t part of Israeli culture in any straightforward sense.


—Adam Kirsch, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2023




This is my family heritage.


—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023




Now the chef is doubling down on his philosophy that the Sunshine State — as with North Carolina, Tennessee or Texas — touts its own distinctive barbecue heritage.


—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2023




As Ayers’ condition declined, the partners of Flaget Madonna LLC tried a more cutting-edge method, still nascent in heritage science: artificial intelligence.


—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023


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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘heritage.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Etymology

Middle English heritage, eritage, borrowed from Anglo-French, from heriter «to inherit, make an heir» (going back to Late Latin hērēditāre «to leave as an inheritance, inherit, make an heir,» from Latin hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāre, verb suffix) + -age -age

Note:
The Latin verb suffix -itāre normally has repetitive or frequentative value (cf. hesitate, meditate, palpitate), not factitive or causative value, so in this instance it may be of distinct origin. A possible model is the adjective hērēditārius (see hereditary), in the formation of which a stem hērēdit- appears to have been extracted from the noun hērēditāt-, hērēditās «succession to an heir, inheritance,» by construing the suffix as -āt-, -ās (or, alternatively, *hērēditātārius was shortened by haplology to hērēditārius).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of heritage was
in the 13th century

Other forms: heritages

Heritage can refer to practices or characteristics that are passed down through the years, from one generation to the next. Researching your family tree would help you gain a sense of your personal heritage.

Heritage is often used to discuss a cultural aspect or tradition that has been passed down through generations. For example, one might speak of an area’s «rich musical heritage.” Heritage can also refer to a person’s ethnic or cultural background. In a legal sense, heritage is property that you inherit, like a silver teapot your great aunt Sally left to you.

Definitions of heritage

1. noun

   that which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner

2. noun

   any attribute or immaterial possession that is inherited from ancestors

   “the world’s
   heritage of knowledge”

   synonyms:

   inheritance

3. noun

   practices that are handed down from the past by tradition

   “a
   heritage of freedom”

   synonyms:

   legacy

4. noun

   hereditary succession to a title or an office or property