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

Instead, the report estimated the girls had 50% Ukrainian ancestry. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

It is often erroneously compared to Halloween, though the two holidays may share ancestry in Catholicism’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. — Rocio Muñoz Ledo, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2026

All participants were also of European ancestry, so the findings may not apply to people of different races and ethnicities. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Tools developed mainly with European-ancestry data can be less accurate when applied to people whose genetic backgrounds differ from the original study populations. — Segun Fatumo, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 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