ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl 

: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor

ancestral estates

ancestrally

an-ˈse-strə-lē 

adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some ancestral lineages diverged roughly 21,000 years ago, according to the review. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

The 307-mile Great Redwood Trail planned along a defunct Northern California rail line is colliding with the Wailaki tribe, as members decry hikers trampling ancestral villages and graves. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

But many residents say there’s no humane way to carry out an exhumation, especially on ancestral lands where more than five generations are buried. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

The film centers on a boy packed off from the city to his family’s ancestral village. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ancestral

• ancestral Pueblo
• ancestral Puebloan

Rhymes for ancestral

• orchestral
• kestrel

Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl 

: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor

ancestral home

ancestrally

-trə-lē 

adverb