ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl 

: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor

ancestral estates

ancestrally

an-ˈse-strə-lē 

adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film opens by introducing the Borg family’s ancestral home as a character in its own right — a living vessel of memory that tells the family’s story, particularly concerning the two adult sisters Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Lilleaas), and the departure of their father. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Our ancestral subfamily split from its family about twelve to fourteen million years ago, losing the orangutan in the process and thus giving us a rough date stamp. —Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

The removal of the skull, according to study authors, signifies an act of remembrance, social memory, and ancestral veneration. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026

While some doctors called the approach ancestral and nutrient-dense, many pediatric experts warned that cutting out fruits and vegetables could pose serious health risks for developing children. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ancestral

• ancestral Pueblo
• ancestral Puebloan

Rhymes for ancestral

• orchestral
• kestrel

Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl 

: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor

ancestral home

ancestrally

-trə-lē 

adverb