ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌse-strē How to pronounce ancestry (audio)
1
: line of descent : lineage
especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent
2
: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

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
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.
African ancestry is found at both ends of the social spectrum and in the east and west of England. Duncan Sayer, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2025 Grey wolf genomic history reveals a dual ancestry of dogs. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 With Mercury entering Scorpio on the 6th, joining Mars, and the Sun following on the 23rd, October spotlights your sector of home, ancestry, family, and emotional foundations. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025 It’s estimated to affect up to 7 in 100,000 people, most often of European ancestry, and appears to be less common among other groups. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestry. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

ancestry

noun
an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌses-trē How to pronounce ancestry (audio)
1
: line of descent
2
: one's ancestors

More from Merriam-Webster on ancestry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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