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
Fifield’s story has been rediscovered because of Brandt’s post-retirement research on her family history.
—
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Hanks also tries to parse between fact and fiction in her family history, including a story about her maternal grandfather's possible connection to a murder.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 June 2025
However, about 85% of cases occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer, likely stemming from genetic mutations that occur because of aging, health agencies report.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Scientists are still piecing together the reason for this trend, especially since many young patients aren’t obese and don’t have a family history of the disease.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Hanks also tries to parse between fact and fiction in her family history, including a story about her maternal grandfather's possible connection to a murder.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 June 2025
However, about 85% of cases occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer, likely stemming from genetic mutations that occur because of aging, health agencies report.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Scientists are still piecing together the reason for this trend, especially since many young patients aren’t obese and don’t have a family history of the disease.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 June 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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