legacy
enduring impact or reputation
What people remember or keep from a person or group after they are gone, including their impact and achievements.
the legacy of [someone/something]
- Historians still debate the legacy of the reform movement.
- She wants her legacy to be better access to education.
- The company’s environmental legacy includes miles of protected coastline.
- That speech became a defining part of his legacy.
- People still feel the legacy of that leader today.
- He hopes to leave a legacy of kindness.
- The museum shares the artist’s legacy with the public.
- Her work created a strong legacy in the city.
money/property left by will
Money or things you get from a dead person because they wrote it in a will.
receive a legacy from [someone]
- She received a modest legacy from her grandmother.
- His will includes a legacy to each of his nieces.
- The charity was named in the will as a legacy beneficiary.
- He got a small legacy after his uncle died.
- She left a legacy to her daughter in her will.
- The museum used a legacy to build a new room.
old but still-used from past
Old systems or things from the past that people still use, often not modern.
legacy [system/product/code/process]
- The bank still runs critical services on a legacy system.
- Developers are rewriting the legacy code to improve security.
- The merger left us with legacy processes that slow teams down.
- The company uses a legacy system from 2005.
- We must replace the legacy software next year.
- They keep legacy code because it still works.
applicant with alumni advantage
A student who gets special help in college admissions because a parent went to that school.
[someone] is a legacy at [school]
- She was admitted as a legacy but still had strong grades.
- The policy gives legacies a measurable admissions boost.
- Admissions officers debated whether legacy applicants should receive any preference.
- He is a legacy at that university.
- Legacy applicants often get a small advantage.
- Some schools no longer consider legacy status.
alumni-based admissions preference
About school admissions that help students whose parents went to that school.
legacy [admissions/preference/status]
- Several universities have ended legacy admissions.
- Critics say legacy preference is unfair.
- She applied without any legacy status.
- The school dropped its legacy admissions policy.
- Legacy preference helps alumni children.
- He has no legacy status at that college.
- Base: legacy
- Plural: legacies
a legacy of [something]
1remaining result from the past
Something that exists now because of what happened before.
- The policy left a legacy of mistrust.
- Decades of growth created a legacy of wealth in the region.
build a legacy
1create long-term impact
Work over time to make something that will last after you.
- The coach is trying to build a legacy of excellence.
- They built a legacy through years of community service.
cement one’s legacy
1make reputation firmly secure
Do something that makes your lasting reputation sure and strong.
- The win cemented her legacy as a champion.
- That discovery cemented his legacy in science.
leave a legacy
1cause a lasting impact to remain
Do something so that people remember you or benefit from your work after you are gone.
- She hopes to leave a legacy of better schools.
- He left a legacy to the hospital in his will.
legacy admissions
1alumni-based admissions policy
A college policy that helps students whose parents went to the same school.
- Several schools ended legacy admissions.
- Debate over legacy admissions has grown intense.
legacy brand
1long-established, historic brand
A brand that has been around for a long time and is well known.
- The legacy brand refreshed its logo.
- Startups compete with legacy brands in the market.
legacy code
1old existing source code
Old code in a program that is still there and used.
- The bug lives deep in the legacy code.
- Refactoring the legacy code will take months.
legacy costs
1costs from past obligations
Money a company must pay now because of promises made in the past, like pensions.
- Legacy costs continue to hurt profits.
- The deal reduced the company’s legacy costs.
legacy issue
1problem remaining from the past
A problem that started long ago and still affects the company or project.
- This bug is a legacy issue from the old release.
- Management is addressing several legacy issues after the merger.
legacy media
1traditional pre-digital media
Older, traditional media like newspapers and TV that existed before online platforms.
- Legacy media still reaches millions of viewers.
- The paper is a legacy media brand adapting to digital.
legacy student
1student with alumni advantage
A student who gets an admissions boost because a parent went to the same school.
- Legacy students made up a small share of the incoming class.
- Being a legacy student once helped, but not anymore.
legacy system
1old but still-used system
An old computer or work system that people still use.
- We can’t retire the legacy system yet.
- Support for the legacy system ends next year.
protect one’s legacy
1preserve one’s long-term reputation
Keep your good name and results safe so people remember them well.
- She published the papers to protect her father’s legacy.
- The foundation exists to protect the artist’s legacy.