heir presumptive
noun
plural heirs presumptive
: an heir whose legal right to an inheritance may be defeated (as by the birth of a nearer relative)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web At this time Elizabeth became the heir presumptive. 
Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 His brother, Daemon (Matt Smith) is heir presumptive, but that might be about to change. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022 In the novel, William Elliot is a distant relative of Anne's and heir presumptive of Anne's father. Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 21 Apr. 2022 But when Edward VIII abdicated the throne and her father became King, Princess Elizabeth became the heir presumptive to the British throne. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 21 Apr. 2022 Her older sister became the heir presumptive, and from then on Margaret's life was lived under a microscope, though one through which she was not always seen clearly. Adam Rathe, Town & Country, 11 Nov. 2020 The heir presumptive was just 13 at the time — five years younger than the naval cadet — but quickly fell in love. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 20 June 2018 When William X’s only son died in 1130, Eleanor (who would have been between 6 and 8 years old) became her father’s heir presumptive, a fact that would have kicked her education into high gear. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 4 Apr. 2018 This idyllic society successfully marries scientific innovation with tribal traditions and an egalitarian ethos—during periods of royal succession, a leader from each of Wakanda’s five ethnic groups may challenge the heir presumptive for the throne. Jonathan W. Gray, New Republic, 13 Feb. 2018 See More
Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 His brother, Daemon (Matt Smith) is heir presumptive, but that might be about to change. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022 In the novel, William Elliot is a distant relative of Anne's and heir presumptive of Anne's father. Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 21 Apr. 2022 But when Edward VIII abdicated the throne and her father became King, Princess Elizabeth became the heir presumptive to the British throne. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 21 Apr. 2022 Her older sister became the heir presumptive, and from then on Margaret's life was lived under a microscope, though one through which she was not always seen clearly. Adam Rathe, Town & Country, 11 Nov. 2020 The heir presumptive was just 13 at the time — five years younger than the naval cadet — but quickly fell in love. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 20 June 2018 When William X’s only son died in 1130, Eleanor (who would have been between 6 and 8 years old) became her father’s heir presumptive, a fact that would have kicked her education into high gear. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 4 Apr. 2018 This idyllic society successfully marries scientific innovation with tribal traditions and an egalitarian ethos—during periods of royal succession, a leader from each of Wakanda’s five ethnic groups may challenge the heir presumptive for the throne. Jonathan W. Gray, New Republic, 13 Feb. 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1737, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
heir presumptive
see heir