family inheritance

noun phrase

1. money, property, or possessions passed down to family members, especially after someone dies

   B1

   uncountable as a general idea; countable when referring to one specific inherited amount or item

   • "She used her family inheritance to buy a small house."A2
   • "The family inheritance was divided equally among the children."B1
   • "The family inheritance included land and several valuable paintings."B2
   • "He spent years disputing the terms of the family inheritance."C1

2. qualities, traits, health conditions, or traditions that are passed down within a family

   B2

   often used with a possessive; uncountable in this sense

   • "Blue eyes are part of his family inheritance."A2
   • "Some health conditions can be influenced by family inheritance."B1
   • "The family inheritance includes not only genes but also stories, values, and traditions."C1