genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
also
-ˈa-lə- How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
 also  ˌje-nē-
plural genealogies
1
: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms
2
: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1) or older form : pedigree
3
: the study of family ancestral lines
4
: an account of the origin and historical development of something
genealogical adjective
genealogically adverb

Examples of genealogy in a Sentence

They've been researching their genealogies. has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror
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.
There will be an entertaining genealogy activity and goal setting. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 Though investigators made some progress, troopers said the case had no significant breakthroughs in the absence of genetic genealogy. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025 The genealogy session is one of the most healing parts of the program, Harris said. Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Onduto was identified as Matea’s mother through genetic genealogy, the same technique famously used to catch the Golden State Killer, whereby police use public databases to find relatives of a suspect. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genealogy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English genealogie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin genealogia, from Greek, from genea race, family + -logia -logy; akin to Greek genos race

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genealogy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genealogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genealogy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

genealogy

noun
ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce genealogy (audio) ˌjen-ē- How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
-ˈal-
plural genealogies
1
: the line of ancestors of a person or family or a history of such a line of ancestors
2
: the study of family lines of ancestors
genealogical adjective
genealogically adverb
genealogist
-ˈäl-ə-jəst
-ˈal-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on genealogy

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