Scions: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the descendants of a notable family or lineage.

• The scions of the royal family were present at the ceremony.
• Several scions of the powerful business dynasty attended the meeting.

Used primarily in legal and familial contexts to refer to someone who is entitled to inherit the estate or title of another person, usually following their death.

• The eldest son is the heir to the family fortune.
• Under the new will, she was named the sole heir of the estate.

Used in both scientific or everyday contexts when talking about children or young of a person, animal, or plant.

• The rabbit had a large number of offspring.
• They were proud parents of their three offspring.

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe someone who is a direct blood relative of a person from the past.

• She is a direct descendant of the town’s founder.
• The museum displayed artifacts donated by the descendants of the original settlers.

Typically refers to a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one that will be grafted onto another plant. It can also mean a descendant of a notable family.

• Gardeners often use scions from healthy trees to graft onto older, less productive trees.
• As the scion of a wealthy family, she had many opportunities not available to others.

Generally refers to a new growth from a plant, such as a stem or bud. It conveys the idea of fresh growth or new beginnings.

• In the spring, you can see new shoots emerging from the soil.
• The young shoot bent towards the sunlight, seeking nourishment.

A small, thin branch of a tree or shrub. This term is often used to describe smaller and less significant branches.

• They gathered dry twigs to start the campfire.
• A bird perched on a delicate twig, chirping joyfully.

A piece of a plant, usually a stem or leaf, cut off for the purpose of propagating a new plant. This term is generally used in gardening and botany.

• You can grow a new rose bush from a cutting taken in the spring.
• She successively propagated her favorite plant by taking cuttings and planting them in soil.