family history

noun

1

: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members

They have a family history of heart disease.

a family history of violence

2

: a record of one's ancestors

He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.

Examples of family history in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People with a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection who also have features of a connective tissue disease, a family history of aortic disease, or disease before 60. — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Graham had been previously diagnosed with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and had a family history of heart disease. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

It can also be used in patients who are at low risk but may have risk factors, such as a family history of inflammatory conditions, to try to guide when to start treatment to lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026

Gilbert, also sister to Jonathan and Sara Gilbert, is no stranger to diving into her family history. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Rhymes for family history

• consistory
• ethnohistory
• mystery