Heritage
noun /ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/ — What you inherit from those who came before — the culture, values, and possessions that define a lineage.
Definition
Property, rights, or culture passed down through generations; the legacy of beliefs, customs, and achievements that define a person, family, or civilization.
Beyond the definition
Heritage is one of the most emotionally complex words in any language — it can mean pride, obligation, or burden, sometimes simultaneously. We inherit what we didn't choose, and must decide how to carry it.
Origin & history
From Old French heritage, from hériter — to inherit, from Latin heres (heir). What an heir receives. The thing that arrives with your name.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She felt her cultural heritage as both a gift and a responsibility.
The building was designated a heritage site — a way of saying its story mattered enough to protect.
His heritage was complicated: brilliant grandparents, a difficult middle generation, and then him, trying to figure out what to keep.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Heritage” when the meaning fits your context: Property, rights, or culture passed down through generations; the legacy of beliefs, customs, and achievements that define a person, family, or civilization.
Synonyms
legacy, inheritance, lineage, tradition, birthright, patrimony
Antonyms
acquisition, novelty
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Looking at Childhood Keepsakes
An adult looks wistfully at a tin filled with personal items, including a worn toy, a faded photograph, and a small, cherished piece of fabric.
Heritage is the culture or property passed down through generations. The items in the tin are the literal legacy of the adult’s childhood, showing the importance of these personal objects in defining who they are and connecting them to their own past, legacy, and family history through these physical artifacts.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Heritage" mean?
Heritage is noun meaning: What you inherit from those who came before — the culture, values, and possessions that define a lineage.. Property, rights, or culture passed down through generations; the legacy of beliefs, customs, and achievements that define a person, family, or civilization.
Where does the word "Heritage" come from?
From Old French heritage, from hériter — to inherit, from Latin heres (heir). What an heir receives. The thing that arrives with your name.