1. passed down from parents to children through genes
Usage: biology; medicine
2. passed down from one generation to the next within a family

Examples

• The disease is hereditary and affects multiple family members.
• She inherited a hereditary title from her grandfather.
• Hereditary traits like eye color are determined by DNA.
• The monarchy passes hereditary power to the next generation.
• Scientists study hereditary factors in cancer development.
• His hereditary estate has been in the family for centuries.