Cultural Heritage: Meaning, Examples & Importance

Meaning 1：Cultural legacy (Cultural heritage)

Cultural heritage 🔊

/ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/

The traditions, buildings, objects, and ways of life that a society has had for many years and that are considered important.

Cultural heritage festival with traditional dance and crafts

Cultural legacy 🔊

➕

/ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈlɛɡəsi/

Cultural heritage encompasses the tangible and intangible elements inherited from past generations, including traditions, monuments, and artifacts that define a society's identity.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Culture (cultivate) + heritage (inherit); a society's passed-down legacy.

💡 Mnemonic

Culture (identity) + heritage (legacy) = society's treasure.

📖 Example

When traveling, we should visit not only famous landmarks but also make an effort to learn about the local cultural heritage, like their traditional dances and crafts. 🔊 When traveling, we should visit not only famous landmarks but also make an effort to learn about the local cultural heritage, like their traditional dances and crafts.

🔗 Collocations

preserve cultural heritage – to protect and maintain the cultural legacy

cultural heritage site – a location recognized for its cultural importance

intangible cultural heritage – non-physical traditions like folklore and rituals

🔄 Synonyms

cultural legacy (n.) – the inherited traditions and artifacts of a society

tradition (n.) – a long-established custom or belief passed on through generations

inheritance (n.) – something received from predecessors

📖 Cultural Story

The concept became prominent with UNESCO's 1972 World Heritage Convention, protecting sites of outstanding universal value, like the Great Wall and Machu Picchu.