ancestor

noun

an·​ces·​tor ˈan-ˌse-stər How to pronounce ancestor (audio)
 also  -sə-
1
a
: one from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent
Her ancestors came to America in the 1880s.
2
: forerunner, prototype
an exhibit of the ancestors of the modern computer
3
: a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1b) of a more recent or existing species or group
the ancestor of the modern horse

Examples of ancestor in a Sentence

My ancestors came to America during the 1800s. Her ancestors were great sea captains. an ancient animal that was the ancestor of the modern horse The museum included an exhibit showing ancestors of the modern computer. several languages that are derived from a common ancestor Latin is the ancestor of Italian and French.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our ancestors survived with the help of this kind of relationship; our future may depend on them too. Athena Aktipis, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025 After discovering enslavers in his lineage, a filmmaker confronts a complicated legacy and meets the descendants of those his ancestors held captive. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025 Like its Swiss ancestor, this exceptional little wheel is made exclusively from late-summer and autumn milk from cows transitioning from fresh grass to hay. Emily Monaco With Kat Craddock, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025 Today’s electric cars, or as they are popularly known, are catching up at breakneck speed with their gasoline ancestors. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ancestor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ancestre, from Anglo-French, from Latin antecessor predecessor, from antecedere to go before, from ante- + cedere to go

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancestor was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestor. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

ancestor

noun
an·​ces·​tor ˈan-ˌses-tər How to pronounce ancestor (audio)
1
: one from whom an individual, group, or species is descended
2
: something from which something else has developed : forerunner
Etymology

Middle English ancestre "ancestor," from early French ancestre (same meaning), from Latin antecessor "one that goes before," derived from earlier antecedere "to go before," from ante- "before" and cedere "to go, yield" — related to concede, predecessor

Legal Definition

ancestor

noun
an·​ces·​tor
1
a
: a person from whom an individual is descended : ascendant
b
: a person from whom an estate descends compare heir
2
: one that precedes
ancestor in title

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