legacy

noun

ˈle-gə-sē How to pronounce legacy (audio)
Definition of legacynext
as in inheritance
something that is or may be inherited the old locket was part of the legacy from my great-great-grandmother

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legacy Phoenix Semiconductor engineers helped NAVAIR recover a supply of unusable legacy chips for a safety-critical system on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 My colleague Annie Joy Williams wrote earlier this week about the legacy of Parton—and her books program—in Tennessee, the home state that all three of us share. — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Buser hopes to continue Collier’s legacy through her new storefront. — Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 On the other hand, some have viewed it as a way for their legacies to live on. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legacy
inheritance
Noun
  • The sale of their father’s orchard and the ensuing inheritance negotiations have brought sisters Anica and Irena, who live on the Croatian mainland, back to their rustic family home.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Whether planning for housing or healthcare in retirement or managing an inheritance, there are key steps to take to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
    — Angie O’Leary, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of inheritance

Browse Nearby Words

legacies
legacy
legal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legacy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on legacy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All