ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
Synonyms of ancestralnext
: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor
ancestral estates
ancestrally adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In the highlands of Montenegro, a shepherd mother and daughter defend their ancestral land from becoming a NATO military training ground, stirring memories of past violence. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026 The gathering draws both local worshippers and members of the diaspora returning to their ancestral roots and has long been seen as a symbol of coexistence, attracting Muslim visitors alongside Jewish pilgrims. ABC News, 6 May 2026 And a family mourns the loss of their ancestral home in southern Lebanon, when their whole village was levelled by Israel during the conflict. Greg Dixon, NPR, 6 May 2026 To go with his ancestral claims, Church, who had been drawing obsessively since early childhood, also inherited an artistic mantle. Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestral

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancestral was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective
an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor
ancestral home
ancestrally adverb

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