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

With Magic Lessons, released in 2020, Hoffman told the tale of Maria Owens, who began the ancestral line of family witches after surviving persecution at the Salem witch trials. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026

Rainbow Serpents are ancestral beings believed to have the power to fold time and are associated with change. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Francesco leads personalized ancestral tours in Sicily for Americans in search of their roots. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Lake Huron is named after the Huron, or Huron-Wendat people, whose ancestral homelands surround Lake Huron, Pure Michigan says. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 28 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