bequest

UK: /bɪˈkwɛst/ US: /bɪˈkwɛst/ ,(bi kwest′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•quest /bɪˈkwɛst/   n. 

1. [uncountable] the act of bequeathing.
2. an item bequeathed to another:
   [countable] a substantial bequest to his favorite charity.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•quest  (bi kwest′), n. 

1. a disposition in a will.
2. a legacy:
   A small bequest allowed her to live independently.

• 1250–1300; Middle English biqueste, biquyste, equivalent. to bi- be- + quiste will, bequest, Old English -cwis(se) (with excrescent t, as in behest), noun, nominal derivative of cwethan to say; on the model of bequethen bequeath

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bequest / bɪˈkwɛst/ noun

1. the act of bequeathing
2. something that is bequeathed
3. a gift of property by will, esp personal property
   Compare devise4,

Etymology: 14th Century: be- + Old English -cwiss degree; see bequeath