noun

heirloom

EH-uh-loom

noun

A valued item, often jewelry, furniture, or a keepsake, that has been passed down within a family across generations.

"The ring had been an heirloom in her family since her great-grandmother's wedding."

"He kept his grandfather's watch as a treasured heirloom."

An older variety of crop or plant, grown from seed saved and handed down over generations rather than a modern commercial hybrid.

"She grows heirloom tomatoes because of their unusual colors and flavor."

"The seed bank preserves dozens of heirloom varieties of beans."

How to Use Heirloom

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething old and valuable, usually an object or a plant variety, that gets handed down in a family instead of being newly bought.

Common pairings

family heirloom heirloom tomatoes a treasured heirloom pass down as an heirloom

heirlooms plural

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The ring had been an _____ in her family since her great-grandmother's wedding.

From Middle English heirlome — literally a "tool" (loom) that gets passed on to one's heirs.

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