Definition of "inherit" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To receive (property, a title, etc.), by legal succession or bequest after the previous owner's death.

   • After Grandad died, I inherited the house.

2. (transitive) To take possession of as a right (especially in Biblical translations).

   • Your descendants will inherit the earth.

3. (transitive, biology) To receive a characteristic from one's ancestors by genetic transmission.

   • Let's hope the baby inherits his mother's looks and his father's intelligence.

4. (transitive) To derive from people or conditions previously in force.

   • This country has inherited an invidious class culture.

5. (computing, programming, transitive) To derive (existing functionality) from a superclass.

   • ModalWindow inherits all the properties and methods of Window.

6. (computing, programming, transitive) To derive a new class from (a superclass).

7. (transitive, obsolete) To put in possession of.