Definition of "hereditary" in English

adjective

1. Passed on as an inheritance, by last will or intestate.

2. Of a title, honor or right: legally granted to somebody's descendant after that person's death.

   • Duke is a hereditary title which was created in Norman times.

3. Of a person: holding a legally hereditary title or rank.

   • hereditary rulers

4. Of a disease or trait: passed from a parent to offspring in the genes.

   • Haemophilia is hereditary in his family.

5. (mathematics) Of a ring: such that all submodules of projective modules over the ring are also projective.

noun

1. A hereditary ruler; a hereditary peer in the House of Lords.