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

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

Defense attorney Phil Barber said the findings could rule out certain individuals as contributors and may provide ancestry information, although the test cannot differentiate between men who share the same paternal ancestors. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Black women are more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer, and people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a higher likelihood of carrying BRCA mutations. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 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