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

Called Labrujasuchus expectatus, the new species belongs to a lineage that today includes crocodiles—but the relationship is a distant one. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026

The lineage runs through Rocket Richard, Jean Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, and Patrick Roy. —Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

To uncover this, a new analytical method was designed to compare gene expression profiles across diverse animal lineages and unicellular organisms. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

The Bruins imported the latest in a lineage of Bay Area dynamic duos. —Los Angeles Times, 24 May 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