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

The Sussexes also visited Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family ancestral home, Althorp, in Northamptonshire. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

In addition, no infected animal carrying a direct ancestral form of the virus has been identified. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

References to the Gjallarhorn, longship and classic helmet create a look that feels both ancestral and modern. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

We've been reclaiming a lot of our ancestral homelands, our village site which is Verona Marina. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 23 Aug. 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