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
Badinter’s campaign against capital punishment had its origins in his own brutal family history.
—
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Prevention tips While some risk factors, like age and family history, can’t be controlled, Muddasani said certain lifestyle changes can reduce the chance of colorectal cancers.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Follow screening guidelines based on your age, risk factors and family history.
—NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
But even Coit, who is among the more skeptical of surgery, recommends prophylactic gastrectomies for people with a strong family history.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Prevention tips While some risk factors, like age and family history, can’t be controlled, Muddasani said certain lifestyle changes can reduce the chance of colorectal cancers.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Follow screening guidelines based on your age, risk factors and family history.
—NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
But even Coit, who is among the more skeptical of surgery, recommends prophylactic gastrectomies for people with a strong family history.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 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 Apr. 2026.
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