a person who is expected to be the heir but whose expectations may be canceled by the birth of a nearer heir.
Origin
1620-30
Examples from the web for heir presumptive
But his dominant role blocked other politicians from getting a hold on power, and made him the heir presumptive.
To be blunt: the paramount leader chooses his own heir presumptive.
British Dictionary definitions for heir presumptive
heir presumptive
noun
1.
(property law) a person who expects to succeed to an estate but whose right may be defeated by the birth of one nearer in blood to the ancestor Compare heir apparent