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.
Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 12 Sep. 2025 In 2019, the GBI — working with local law enforcement and forensic-genealogy firms — built a family tree for the child. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025 The Bear Brook murders have become a defining example of how genetic genealogy can solve decades-old mysteries, potentially providing closure to families and advancing justice in similar unsolved cases nationwide. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Ramsey, who has criticized the Boulder Police Department's efforts to solve the Christmastime slaying, has offered to fundraise to pay for investigative genetic genealogy, a newer technology that’s been used to solve high-profile cold cases such as the Golden State Killer. Louis Casiano , Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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