genealogy

noun

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ge·ne·al·o·gy | \ ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē

also -ˈa-lə-

also ˌje-nē- \

plural genealogies

Definition of genealogy

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

Other Words from genealogy Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About genealogy

Other Words from genealogy

genealogical \ ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl

, ˌje-nē- \ adjective

genealogically \ ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē

, ˌje-nē- \ 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 Moore was certain that genetic genealogy was behind the breakthrough. — Raffi Khatchadourian, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2021 The genealogy of the French far right is clear: In the beginning was the loss of L’Algérie française. — Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 21 Oct. 2021 Detectives used private labs throughout the country to assist with sophisticated DNA testing and genealogy analysis. — Tribune News Service, al, 6 June 2021 The breakthrough in the case came through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis, police said. — NBC News, 5 June 2021 The breakthrough in this case came through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis, Marshall and Glasgow said. — Suzanne Baker, chicagotribune.com, 4 June 2021 Whelpley was eventually identified through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis. — Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, 4 June 2021 Conventional scholarship dictates that Beethoven (1770-1827) was born to Johann and Maria Magdalena van Beethoven, whose genealogy is Flemish. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2020 The nonprofit compared Victim #5′s DNA profile to profiles on a genealogy website to find potential relatives. — Don Babwin, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Oct. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genealogy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.