genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē 

also

-ˈa-lə- 

also ˌje-nē-

plural genealogies

1

: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms

2

: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1) or older form : pedigree

3

: the study of family ancestral lines

4

: an account of the origin and historical development of something

genealogical

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌje-nē-

adjective

genealogically

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌje-nē-

adverb

Synonyms of genealogy

• ancestry
• lineage
• pedigree
• family

Examples of genealogy in a Sentence

They've been researching their genealogies.

has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigative genetic genealogy — also known as forensic genetic genealogy — uses advanced DNA testing to generate new leads for law enforcement. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

In November 2024, the Arlington police homicide unit met with the FBI Dallas field office about using investigative genetic genealogy to crack the case. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 July 2026

In April, the FBI said the IGG tests, which use DNA, genealogy research and publicly available historical records, found that Velasquez was a potential suspect and the investigation picked up, according to Jones. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 22 July 2026

In November 2024, the Arlington Police Department then worked with the FBI Dallas Field Office on the case, using the agency’s advanced investigative genetic genealogy program. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English genealogie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin genealogia, from Greek, from genea race, family + -logia -logy; akin to Greek genos race

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for genealogy

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌjen-ē- 

-ˈal-

plural genealogies

1

: the line of ancestors of a person or family or a history of such a line of ancestors

2

: the study of family lines of ancestors

genealogical

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

ˌjen-ē-

adjective

genealogically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

genealogist

-ˈäl-ə-jəst, 

-ˈal-

noun