genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē 

also

-ˈa-lə- 

 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

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌje-nē-

adjective

genealogically

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌje-nē-

adverb

Synonyms

• ancestry
• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• breeding
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• line
• lineage
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock
• strain

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

Using investigative genetic genealogy — which combines consumer DNA testing, like 23andMe, with genealogical research — the students set to work to solve the mystery. —Alana Wise, NPR, 23 May 2025

This has become one of the oldest cold case identifications using investigative genetic genealogy, Ramapo said. —May 23, CBS News, 23 May 2025

Investigators had used genetic genealogy to identify a source and then pulled trash outside the Kohberger family home in Pennsylvania. —Shane Bishop, NBC news, 8 May 2025

Investigative genetic genealogy leads to ID Then, in June 2020, investigators set their sights to investigative genetic genealogy in hopes of identifying the woman, marking their first case to use such methods, deputies said. —Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2025

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

Rhymes for genealogy

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌjen-ē- 

-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

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

ˌjen-ē-

adjective

genealogically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

genealogist

-ˈäl-ə-jəst

-ˈal-

noun