Bequest: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in legal or formal settings to refer to personal property or assets given through a will.

• In his will, he made a bequest of his stamp collection to the local museum

Can refer to both tangible and intangible things passed down from one generation to another, including traditions, values, or achievements.

• His greatest legacy is the charitable foundation he established to support education

Used to describe money, property, or other assets received from someone after their death, typically within the family.

• She used part of her inheritance to buy a new house

Often refers to a donation or gift given to institutions like universities, hospitals, or charities, to provide ongoing financial support.

• The university received a generous endowment to fund new research projects

Used when someone indicates a specific item or amount of property left to a beneficiary in a will.

• His grandmother's bequest included a valuable painting.
• The bequest of her jewelry was a touching gesture.

Often used when discussing the general passing down of property, money, or traits from parents to children. Can also have a legal connotation.

• She received a large inheritance from her father.
• His blue eyes are part of his genetic inheritance.

Refers to cultural, familial, or national traditions and values passed down from previous generations.

• Our cultural heritage is rich in music and dance.
• She learned about her French heritage through family stories.

Refers to something handed down from an ancestor or from the past, often used to describe non-tangible things such as reputation or influence.

• His philanthropy left a lasting legacy in the community.
• The author's literary legacy continues to inspire readers.