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 ancestral sparkling method is one of the oldest sparkling wine techniques, rooted in the early days of Umberto’s childhood. — Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

All of this plays out against the gorgeous backdrop of the Fairley ancestral home (played by Broughton Hall in north Yorkshire) and a glorious assortment of lavish costumes. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026

Diana, who died at age 36 following a 1997 Paris car crash, was laid to rest at the Spencer family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire, England. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Moving from her childhood home to her ancestral one was quite a shift for teenage Diana. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 23 June 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