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
In the film, Hargitay grapples not only with the loss of her mom, but also a deeply nuanced family history full of secrets.
—
Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Martha even gathers the flowers by hand from the family’s chinampa, a traditional floating garden the Aztecs cultivated hundreds of years ago, making the ritual both intimate and rooted in family history.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
This includes family history, poor sleep hygiene, nutrition deficiencies, and having certain health conditions.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Although some women with family history of breast cancer may need earlier or more frequent screenings, all women need regular screenings, doctors said.
—Dr. Allyson Heng, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Martha even gathers the flowers by hand from the family’s chinampa, a traditional floating garden the Aztecs cultivated hundreds of years ago, making the ritual both intimate and rooted in family history.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
This includes family history, poor sleep hygiene, nutrition deficiencies, and having certain health conditions.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Although some women with family history of breast cancer may need earlier or more frequent screenings, all women need regular screenings, doctors said.
—Dr. Allyson Heng, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
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 13 Nov. 2025.
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