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
Arthur PapSynonyms
Examples of hereditary in a Sentence
He suffers from a rare hereditary condition.
eye and hair color are hereditary
Recent Examples on the Web
Pet insurance often excludes pre-existing conditions, routine and preventive care (unless added as an optional rider), and certain hereditary conditions.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary condition linked to higher susceptibility to colorectal cancer and uterine cancer.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024
Susceptibility appears to be hereditary even when it's kicked off by infection.
—Washington Post Live, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
Researchers believe some types of arthritis can be hereditary.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 21 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for hereditary 
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary condition linked to higher susceptibility to colorectal cancer and uterine cancer.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024
Susceptibility appears to be hereditary even when it's kicked off by infection.
—Washington Post Live, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
Researchers believe some types of arthritis can be hereditary.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 21 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for hereditary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hereditary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hereditary
Cite this Entry
“Hereditary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hereditary. Accessed 19 Aug. 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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