lineage

noun (1)

lin·e·age | \ ˈli-nē-ij also ˈli-nij

Definition of lineage

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : descent in a line from a common progenitor

b : derivation the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960s— Erik Larson

2 : a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

noun (2)

line·age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about lineage

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Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In turn, Washington’s environmental establishment determined that no future agreement would be acknowledged as a treaty for U.S. purposes, regardless of the pact’s terms, lineage or U.S. custom and practice. — WSJ, "The Senate Cedes Its Authority on Climate," 26 Dec. 2018 Hendrix’s lineage revealed a long history of cancer. — Jim Varsallone, miamiherald, "Growing up poor, this cancer-surviving wrestler with a cool name helps to end hunger," 29 June 2018 The Bulldogs, who lost in the D-II regional championship last season, have had an impressive lineage of quarterbacks since Annese took over the program in 2011. — Brandon Folsom, Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Cass Tech star Jayru Campbell is all business at Ferris State," 21 Apr. 2018 In one day the entire lineage of that reef had been wiped out. — Harrison Takoff, Smithsonian, "Why You Can Walk Into a Store and Buy a Nearly Extinct Animal," 2 Apr. 2018 The biologists compared each sample of genetic sequences with samples from mice from other lineages in order to see what percent of bacterial DNA sequences turned up in both samples. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Mammals inherit most of their gut bacteria, new study suggests," 26 Oct. 2018 This is the leader of the free world speaking like this… somewhere along his lineage something happened to him. — Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Trump Lashes Out at JAY-Z in Response to Rapper Calling His 'S---hole Countries' Remark 'Hurtful'," 28 Jan. 2018 Somewhere along his lineage, something happened to him. — Angela Helm, The Root, "Jay-Z Called Your President a ‘Superbug’ and Trump Responded With Black Unemployment Figures," 28 Jan. 2018 Our violent lineage is still the main problem, but here Mr. Wrangham explores the reasons that our species may have partly overcome it. — John Hawks, WSJ, "‘The Goodness Paradox’ Review: The Benefits of Good Breeding," 25 Jan. 2019

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