noun

heirloom

EH-uh-loom

Heirloom (noun) means a valued item, often jewelry, furniture, or a keepsake, that has been passed down within a family across generations. Example: “The ring had been an heirloom in her family since her great-grandmother's wedding.”

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

Word forms

heirlooms plural

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

Etymology

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

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for heirloom

oom boom room zoom doom loom groom broom bloom gloom vroom kaboom

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Frequently asked questions

What does “heirloom” mean?

The word “heirloom” means a valued item, often jewelry, furniture, or a keepsake, that has been passed down within a family across generations. In plain terms, something old and valuable, usually an object or a plant variety, that gets handed down in a family instead of being newly bought.

How do you pronounce “heirloom”?

“Heirloom” is pronounced EH-uh-loom (/ˈɛɚ.lum/ in IPA).

How do you use “heirloom” in a sentence?

Here is “heirloom” used in a sentence: “The ring had been an heirloom in her family since her great-grandmother's wedding.”

What part of speech is “heirloom”?

“Heirloom” is a noun.

Where does the word “heirloom” come from?

The word “heirloom” comes from Middle English. From Middle English heirlome — literally a "tool" (loom) that gets passed on to one's heirs.

How many meanings does “heirloom” have?

“Heirloom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a valued item, often jewelry, furniture, or a keepsake, that has been passed down within a family across generations.