lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij 

also ˈli-nij

1

a

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

b

: derivation

… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.

—Colleen Barry

2

: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor

especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms of lineage

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• breeding

Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his Italian lineage was very important to him

it is now generally accepted that the lineage of Thomas Jefferson includes black as well as white members

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As such, the brooch represents not only the history of Scotland, but also a long lineage of royal women. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Green said that through William's mother, the late Princess Diana, his lineage traces back to Benajah Strong. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

For all the talk of lineage, Be Sweet to Me is fundamentally about carving out space not in opposition to her family name, but outside of it. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 July 2026

The look has been updated with taste and restraint, so there’s no mistaking the 33/303’s lineage—even the dimensions are within 1 mm of the originals. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​eage

ˈlin-ē-ij

1

: the ancestors from whom a person is descended

2

: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​e·​age

ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij

1

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

2

: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor

replication in T cell lineages