parentage

noun

par·​ent·​age ˈper-ən-tij How to pronounce parentage (audio)
1
a
: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage
a person of noble parentage
b
: derivation, origin
a tradition of uncertain parentage
2

Examples of parentage in a Sentence

they were pleased that their son's girlfriend was of good parentage
Recent Examples on the Web Frank Herbert's classic 1965 novel lets readers in on the secret of Jessica's parentage a little earlier in the story, shortly after Paul and Jessica have escaped into the Arrakis desert in the wake of the Harkonnen and Sardaukar assault on House Atreides. TIME, 1 Mar. 2024 Did Eve's parentage come up in terms of discussing the role of music in your life or how music is important within a family and those themes that are here in this film? Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023 All demigods are said to have ADHD and dyslexia as a product of their godly parentage. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan. 2024 Mariana and Samuel’s pursuit of perfect parentage – most episodes begin with a parenting group led by a psychologist – is frustrated by the punishing day-to-day routine of parenting. John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024 Other top players without gilded parentages are also receiving eye-popping deals. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023 The episode also includes interviews with the musician’s cousin and niece, who say that the family refrained from exposing Sainte-Marie’s true parentage for fear of financial reprisal. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023 Fortunately, there are ways to investigate your parentage — beginning with documents and ending with DNA. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023 Birth certificates record legal parentage, which does not always accord with genetic parentage. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parentage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, from parent parent entry 1 + -age -age

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near parentage

Cite this Entry

“Parentage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parentage. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parentage

noun
par·​ent·​age ˈpar-ənt-ij How to pronounce parentage (audio)
ˈper-
: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage

More from Merriam-Webster on parentage

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