1. The status, conditions, or character acquired by being born into a particular family or social class.
2. A country's or area's history and historical buildings and sites which are considered to be of interest and value to present generations.
3. Something which passes from one generation to the next in a social group; for example, a way of life or traditional culture.
4. Property or land that is, or can be, passed on to an heir.
5. Etymology: from early 13th century, "that which may be inherited"; from Old French eritage; from heriter, "inherit"; from Late Latin hereditare; from Latin heres, heredis, "heir" (a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to receive the estate of another person or someone who inherits, or gets, some title or office).