# heritage

/ˈhɛɹətədʒ/ (US) · /hˈɛɹɪtɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heritage
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cultural history

noun · CEFR B2

the traditions, languages, and historical buildings that belong to a culture and are passed down to new generations.

For teachers: the collective body of traditions, monuments, and cultural achievements inherited from past generations. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- The city is proud of its rich musical heritage and has many famous concert halls.
- Preserving the nation's architectural heritage requires a delicate balance between modern urban development and the restoration of historical landmarks.

### 2. family background

noun · CEFR B2

your family's history, including where they came from and their ethnic background.

For teachers: the ethnic, linguistic, or social background of a person's ancestors. Often used as a modifier in phrases like 'heritage speaker'.

- She is of Italian heritage and grew up speaking both English and Italian at home.
- The university offers specialized courses for heritage learners who have a high level of oral proficiency but limited formal training in their family's native language.

### 3. inheritance

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

property or money that is passed down to you when someone dies.

For teachers: property, assets, or status that may be inherited by legal right or succession.

- The old estate was part of his family heritage, passed down for three centuries.
- The legal dispute centered on whether the ancestral lands constituted a part of the indivisible heritage of the firstborn son.

### 4. traditional varieties

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

used to describe older types of plants or animals that are not used in modern industrial farming.

For teachers: denoting traditional varieties of seeds, plants, or animal breeds that were common before the advent of industrial agriculture. Used attributively.

- The farmer grows heritage tomatoes because they have much more flavor than supermarket ones.
- The conservation project aims to protect heritage breeds of sheep that are better adapted to the local climate than modern commercial varieties.

Usage: Usually sits before the noun it describes.

## Examples

- The city is proud of its cultural heritage.
- The government provides funding to protect the nation's architectural heritage from the effects of modern pollution.
- Preserving intangible heritage, such as oral storytelling and traditional music, is often more challenging than maintaining physical monuments but is equally vital for cultural continuity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.