hereditary
adjective
he·red·i·tary
hə-ˈre-də-ˌter-ē 
1
a
biology
: genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring
The disease is hereditary.
b
: characteristic of or fostered by one's predecessors
a hereditary feud
2
a
: received or passing by inheritance or required to pass by inheritance or by reason of birth
hereditary wealth
b
: having title (see title entry 1 sense 4a) or possession through inheritance or by reason of birth
hereditary nobility
3
: of a kind established by tradition
hereditary enemies
4
: of or relating to inheritance or heredity
unless he had the hereditary dispositions which he has, he would not behave the way he does—
Arthur Pap
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Examples of hereditary in a Sentence
He suffers from a rare hereditary condition.
eye and hair color are hereditary
Recent Examples on the Web
The Eugenic Protection Law, in place from 1948 to 1996, allowed authorities to forcibly sterilize people with disabilities, including those with mental disorders, hereditary diseases or physical deformities and leprosy.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 July 2024
There is no indication that lice are hereditary or that people with certain genetic makeups are more likely to get lice than others.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
According to Live Science, cilantro preference is likely hereditary and varies by ethnic background.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 July 2024
Hyperpigmentation occurs due to excess melanin production in certain areas of the skin, often caused by sun exposure, acne scars, ageing, inflammation, hereditary factors, and hormonal changes.
—Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hereditary 
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Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 July 2024
There is no indication that lice are hereditary or that people with certain genetic makeups are more likely to get lice than others.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
According to Live Science, cilantro preference is likely hereditary and varies by ethnic background.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 July 2024
Hyperpigmentation occurs due to excess melanin production in certain areas of the skin, often caused by sun exposure, acne scars, ageing, inflammation, hereditary factors, and hormonal changes.
—Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hereditary
Dictionary Entries Near hereditary
Cite this Entry
“Hereditary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hereditary. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hereditary
adjective
he·red·i·tary
hə-ˈred-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring
hereditary traits
2
a
: received or passing by inheritance
hereditary rank
b
: having title or possession through inheritance
hereditary ruler
3
: of or relating to inheritance or heredity
Medical Definition
hereditary
adjective
he·red·i·tary
hə-ˈred-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring compare acquired sense 1, congenital sense 2, familial
2
: of or relating to inheritance or heredity
Legal Definition
hereditary
adjective
he·red·i·tary
hə-ˈre-də-ˌter-ē
1
: received or passing by inheritance or required to pass by inheritance
hereditary shares
2
: having ownership or possession through inheritance
Etymology
Latin hereditarius, from hereditas inheritance, from hered-, heres heir
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