family history
noun
1
: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members
They have a family history of heart disease.
a family history of violence
2
: a record of one's ancestors
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.
Examples of family history in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoe Perry's emotions got the best of her while reading a pivotal moment in Cooper family history!
—
Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
It has been tucked away like a dark family history or a misbegotten war, even as its consequences play out daily.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
According to Morris, this is exactly what Lali wanted: a blank slate, a writer without any baggage or family history connected to the Holocaust.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2024
This Strange Eventful History is a sprawling yet intimate saga that draws inspiration from author Claire Messud’s own family history.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 May 2024
The hope is that their piece of family history will ultimately find a home on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
The results that followed — those from my mammogram, ultrasounds and MRI — were all normal, and my doctor reassured me that my risk was low due to the absences of genetic mutations, a healthy family history and an active lifestyle.
—Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her passing but the decades of family history that came before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
This is generally caused by the combination of genetic factors, such as family history and genetic markers, and environmental factors, including stress, infections, and dietary influences.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
It has been tucked away like a dark family history or a misbegotten war, even as its consequences play out daily.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
According to Morris, this is exactly what Lali wanted: a blank slate, a writer without any baggage or family history connected to the Holocaust.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2024
This Strange Eventful History is a sprawling yet intimate saga that draws inspiration from author Claire Messud’s own family history.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 May 2024
The hope is that their piece of family history will ultimately find a home on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
The results that followed — those from my mammogram, ultrasounds and MRI — were all normal, and my doctor reassured me that my risk was low due to the absences of genetic mutations, a healthy family history and an active lifestyle.
—Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her passing but the decades of family history that came before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
This is generally caused by the combination of genetic factors, such as family history and genetic markers, and environmental factors, including stress, infections, and dietary influences.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'family history.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near family history
Cite this Entry
“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
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