heirloom Definition
- 1a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations
- 2a variety of plant that has been passed down from generation to generation within a family or community, especially one that is old-fashioned and not used in modern agriculture
Using heirloom: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "heirloom" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The diamond necklace was a family heirloom.
Example
This quilt is an heirloom that my great-grandmother made.
Example
The tomato seeds are an heirloom variety that has been grown in this region for over a century.
heirloom Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with heirloom
Example
She wore her grandmother's heirloom jewelry on her wedding day.
a plant variety that has been passed down from generation to generation within a family or community, especially one that is old-fashioned and not used in modern agriculture
Example
The farm specializes in growing heirloom tomatoes.
Example
This apple pie recipe is an heirloom from my great-grandmother.
Origins of heirloom
from 'heir' + 'loam', meaning a piece of land that is inherited
Summary: heirloom in Brief
An 'heirloom' [ˈeəluːm] is a valuable object or plant variety that has been passed down from generation to generation within a family or community. It can be a piece of jewelry, a quilt, or a tomato seed variety. The term comes from 'heir' and 'loam,' meaning a piece of land that is inherited.