ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌse-strē 

1

: line of descent : lineage

especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent

2

: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

Synonyms of ancestry

• lineage
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree
• descent
• family
• breeding

Examples of ancestry in a Sentence

They claim to be of noble ancestry.

a person of unknown ancestry

She claims to be able to trace her ancestry all the way back to the earliest settlers.

Recent Examples on the Web

And, while some of the book’s emotional notes are near-universal, the author’s ancestry adds an irresistible sheen of money and glamour. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

Because the data came from the UK Biobank, the participants tended to be healthier and primarily of European ancestry. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026

Without due process, everyone of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast was forced to abandon (or sell, usually at a significant loss) their homes, farms and businesses before being put in camps like Manzanar. —Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Modern human populations in Southeast Asia have the highest Denisovan ancestry, suggesting the two groups once crossed paths there. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌses-trē 

1

: line of descent

2

: one's ancestors