heir apparent
noun
plural heirs apparent
1
: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor
2
3
: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances
Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence
The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.
Recent Examples on the Web
The show follows Catherine’s journey as a teenager to meet Prince Arthur, the heir apparent of the King of England, whom she has been betrothed to as a child in a political deal that promises to bring peace between Spain and England.
—
Cady Lang, TIME, 16 May 2024
The message was clear: Holliday was the heir apparent to Orioles’ royalty.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heir apparent 
Cady Lang, TIME, 16 May 2024
The message was clear: Holliday was the heir apparent to Orioles’ royalty.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heir apparent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heir apparent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near heir apparent
Cite this Entry
“Heir apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heir%20apparent. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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