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heritage definition

her·it·age (her′ə tij)

noun

  1. property that is or can be inherited
    1. something handed down from one's ancestors or the past, as a characteristic, a culture, tradition, etc.
    2. the rights, burdens, or status resulting from being born in a certain time or place; birthright

Etymology: ME < OFr < heriter < LL(Ec) hereditare, to inherit < L hereditas: see heredity

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

heritage Synonyms

heritage

n.

  1. Inheritance

    inheritance, patrimony, legacy, birthright, heirship, ancestry, lot, right, dowry; see also division 2, heredity, share.

  2. Tradition

    convention, endowment, cultural inheritance; see culture 2, custom 2, fashion 2, method 2, system 2.

heritage, the most general of these words, applies either to property passed on to an heir, or to a tradition, culture, etc. passed on to a later generation our heritage of freedom; inheritance applies to property, a characteristic, etc. passed on to an heir; patrimony strictly refers to an estate inherited from one's father, but it is also used of anything passed on from an ancestor; birthright applies to the rights one has because of being born in a certain family, nation, etc.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

heritage Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • mankind: It symbolizes the Greek contribution to the cultural heritage of mankind " .

Converse of object

  • preserve: Preserving railroad heritage in the North East of England.

Adjective modifier

  • cultural: The identity of the nation depends on its cultural heritage.

Modifies a noun

  • trail: Information gathered will be used to establish a heritage trail along the riverbank.

Noun used with modifier

  • mining: An aim might be: To become the best mining heritage museum in the North of England.
heritage usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"heritage." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/heritage>

APA Style

heritage. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/heritage

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