ancestral
adjective
an·ces·tral
an-ˈse-strəl 
: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor
ancestral estates
Examples of ancestral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many wisdoms intrinsic to permaculture long predate the term—it cannot be understated how much stems from indigenous knowledge and was passed down from generations before, from these ancestral stewards who listened to, and trusted, the land.
—
Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Indigenous leaders have accused the government of violent suppression of protests and allowing unchecked mining and oil drilling on ancestral lands.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
His menu invites you to look with him back at his origins and ancestral tradition while celebrating the gifts of his current home.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Then there’s Tofino’s Tin Wis Resort, which is owned and operated by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on its ancestral property.
—Alexandra Marvar, AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestral
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.
Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Indigenous leaders have accused the government of violent suppression of protests and allowing unchecked mining and oil drilling on ancestral lands.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
His menu invites you to look with him back at his origins and ancestral tradition while celebrating the gifts of his current home.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Then there’s Tofino’s Tin Wis Resort, which is owned and operated by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on its ancestral property.
—Alexandra Marvar, AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestral
Cite this Entry
“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ancestral
adjective
an·ces·tral
an-ˈses-trəl
: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor
ancestral home
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share