Descendants: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in a formal context to refer to future generations that come from a common ancestor. It can be used in both historical and legal settings.

• The ancient family left a legacy for their descendants
• The law ensures that descendants receive a portion of the estate

A more general term often used in a biological or casual context to refer to children or young of animals. Unlike 'heirs,' it doesn't have legal connotations.

• The bird tends to its offspring with great care
• They have three offspring who are all in college

This word is primarily used in legal contexts to describe individuals who are entitled to inherit property, titles, or offices upon the death of an ancestor.

• The king's heirs were listed in the royal decree
• She was named the sole heir in her grandfather's will

A formal and somewhat old-fashioned term that refers to descendants or offspring, often used in literary or historical texts.

• The progeny of the ancient philosophers still study the old texts
• The tree has produced numerous progeny over the years

Describes something that has developed from a larger or original entity, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Frequently used in business, technology, or plant biology.

• The company started as an offshoot of a large corporation.
• The plant's offshoots need to be trimmed regularly.

Commonly used in finance to refer to a contract whose value is based on an underlying asset or in linguistics and mathematics. Can have a negative connotation when referring to unoriginal work.

• The financial derivative can be risky.
• The movie was criticized for being a derivative work.

Refers to a person or thing that follows and takes over a position, property, or function from another. Often used in leadership, business, and legal contexts.

• The CEO's successor will start next month.
• The new computer model is the successor to the previous generation.