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
Hamnet’s production design and costumes suit the film’s intimate focus and scale, with Zhao’s camera lingering on a home full of family history and the objects of daily life, and evocative period garments made from natural materials.
—
Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
For instance, a Johns Hopkins expert and her colleagues concluded that people with a family history of heart disease who also had a sunny outlook positioned themselves well.
—Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
While the standard age for starting colorectal cancer screening is 45, having a family history puts you at higher-than-usual risk, which may warrant sooner or more frequent screening (either via a stool test or colonoscopy).
—Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025
The medical institution says the causes of childhood obesity, along with obesity, are a diet high in cholesterol or sodium, a sedentary lifestyle, and family history of high blood pressure.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
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Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
For instance, a Johns Hopkins expert and her colleagues concluded that people with a family history of heart disease who also had a sunny outlook positioned themselves well.
—Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
While the standard age for starting colorectal cancer screening is 45, having a family history puts you at higher-than-usual risk, which may warrant sooner or more frequent screening (either via a stool test or colonoscopy).
—Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025
The medical institution says the causes of childhood obesity, along with obesity, are a diet high in cholesterol or sodium, a sedentary lifestyle, and family history of high blood pressure.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 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 4 Dec. 2025.
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