family tree

noun

Synonyms of family treenext
1
2
: a genealogical diagram

Examples of family tree in a Sentence

A framed family tree hung on the wall. his family tree includes writers, musical composers, and other notables in the arts
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of course, one point made in the song is that nearly every American has immigrants in the family tree, however much some nationalists may like to imagine a United States that began with certain demographics in place. — Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 There will be genealogical resources available on site to learn about the branches of the Hale family tree. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026 Using a suspect’s DNA recovered from the rape kits, a family tree can be developed to help identify a suspect like Santiago, who was arrested in 2023. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 These doubters also disparage as unreliable or wishful thinking the oral histories passed down by Hemings’s descendants who have placed Jefferson in their family tree. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for family tree

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of family tree was in 1763

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Family tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20tree. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

family tree

noun
1
2
: a diagram showing family relationships
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