hereditary

3 definitions • 6 examples

(of characteristics or diseases) passing from a parent to a child through the genes :

a hereditary disease

Depression is often hereditary.

It is possible that her heart condition is hereditary.

(of titles and positions in society) passing from a parent to a child as a right:

hereditary title It is a hereditary title, so Mark Howard will become Sir Mark Howard on his father's death.

hereditary peerage The link between the hereditary peerage and the House of Lords is still strong.

Most monarchies are hereditary.

caused by or having to do with heredity