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

Kattouf said people with a family history of glaucoma, high pressure inside the eye or severe nearsightedness may face a higher risk. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

That includes anyone with a family history of high Lp(a), or a personal or family history of early heart disease (before 45 in men, 55 in women). — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

In 2025, a Michigan representative suggested that reading cursive was also essential to preserving family history. — Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

People with a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis face higher risk and may need earlier screening. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for family history

• consistory
• ethnohistory
• mystery