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

This makes these products a true boon for anyone with dry hair, no matter their ancestry. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

Also titled ‘Bounty’, the book will feature all 47 images from the exhibition, which was based around meditative photos McQueen took of the beautiful flora native to the Caribbean island of Grenada, where the artist-filmmaker has ancestry. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026

DNA tests can reveal information about a person's ancestry, their risk for developing certain health conditions, and their likelihood of having certain personality traits. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Mar. 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