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

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Other risk factors for breast cancer in men include being over the age of 50, a family history of breast cancer, obesity, exposure to hormone and radiation therapy treatments, liver disease and certain conditions that affect the testicles, according to the CDC. ABC News, 10 June 2026 Several factors can influence a man’s likelihood of developing the potentially deadly disease, including age, a family history of breast cancer and being overweight, the CDC says. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 The film represents a deeply personal reckoning for Marre, who has described the project as an attempt to confront a troubling chapter of his own family history. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 June 2026 The decision to medicate should always be discussed with a clinician, Freeman advised, especially for those with a personal or family history of cardiovascular events. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for family history

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Cite this Entry

“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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