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
This is a doctor who can get a bird’s-eye view of your health based on your personal and family history and do screenings to assess your risk for various conditions.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Weaving historical fiction and family history has brought me closer to my island home.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Also questionably handled is a psychologically illuminating subplot around Hana’s family history of weight problems, teased with some needlessly shadowy ambuigity ahead of a surprise reveal.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
My own family history contains a corollary.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
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Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Weaving historical fiction and family history has brought me closer to my island home.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Also questionably handled is a psychologically illuminating subplot around Hana’s family history of weight problems, teased with some needlessly shadowy ambuigity ahead of a surprise reveal.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
My own family history contains a corollary.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family history
Cite this Entry
“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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